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| Land row reaches UN | | | Early Times Desk
Jammu | Aug 28
The controversy arising out of the transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and its subsequent revocation has not only brought Jammu and Kashmir under the shadow of terrorism but it has also attracted the much unwelcome international attention which can be a diplomatic embarrassment for India.
The Human Right Commission of the United Nations has voiced its concern over the killing of protestors in Kashmir and asked India to comply with the international human rights principles in controlling the protests. India has, however, strongly reacted to the UN statement describing it uncalled for and irresponsible.
Agency reports said that voicing concern over civilian casualties during protests over Amarnath land transfer issue in Jammu and Kashmir, the UN has asked India to conduct "a thorough and independent investigation" into the incident.
In its first comment since demonstrations began, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also asked Indian authorities, to "respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression" and "comply with international human rights principles in controlling protests."
The use of force, it said, should be proportionate to the threat posed and firearms should only be used in dispersing a violent assembly to protect individuals against imminent threat of death or serious injury.
Calling on the demonstrators to use only peaceful means, OCHCR said, "leaders of the different protesting groups have a responsibility to ensure that demonstrations are peaceful and that the demonstrators are not carrying sticks, guns or other weapons and refrain from intimidation."
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has so far not commented on the situation and his spokespersons have refrained from making any comment, mostly saying that they have nothing to say.
Meanwhile, India today slammed the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for its statement on Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as ''uncalled for and irresponsible,'' and asserting that India did not need
any advice regarding protection of human rights of its citizens.
''We regret that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued a statement on the situation in J and K. This is uncalled for and irresponsible. India does not need any advice in respect of the protection and promotion of the human rights of its citizens,'' External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in response to a question.
A statement issued by the OHCHR in Geneva yesterday called on Indian authorities, particularly security forces, to ''respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression and comply with international human rights principles in controlling the demonstrators.'' |
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