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| SOME SPEW FIRE, OTHERS SHOWER PRAISES | | 'HRW' REPORT INCITES BOTH WRATH AND PRAISES IN KASHMIR | |
Srinagar, Sept, 15 : The 156-page report on human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir released here by New York based 'Human Rights Watch' (HRW) on September 12 in summer capital Srinagar has evolved mixed reaction from different quarters that matter in Kashmir conundrum, which by any stretch of imagination is no surprise in diffuse and often confusing Kashmir politics.
The HRW report has incited wrath from pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani while pro-freedom group Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front led by Mohammad Yasin Malik has showered praises on it.
Pertinent to note here is the fact that it was for the first time that any international human rights body was allowed by the government not only to visit strife-torn Kashmir but also to release a report on human rights excesses.
Veteran leader and chairman of a faction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani terms the report as "partial" adding that it "lacked ground work". Mr Geelani apparently is annoyed over the fact why the report has put blame on the militants, often referred to as 'Mujahideen' by him.
"The HRW report has relied more upon the government versions and statements. It is incomplete and I would have appreciated had the group members met the victims of 'state-sponsored terrorism' but unfortunately they have tried to play safe by blaming both the Army and 'Mujahideens' (warriors)," Geelani told newsmen on Wednesday. Though Geelani admitted that 'Mujahideen' are not angels and they too can commit mistakes but said in a heavily "militarized region like Kashmir" the violations are more often than not committed by Indian Army and its paramilitaries.
JKLF chief Yasin Malik while appreciating the report says that it is clear from it how "security forces are killing Kashmiris in faked encounters. The troops even don't spare handicapped youths and mentally deranged persons".
The HRW report has made a reference to custodial killings and disappearances. It says:
"Security forces have committed torture, disappearances, and arbitrary detentions, and they continue to execute Kashmiris in faked encounter killings, claiming that these killings take place during armed clashes with militants. Militants have carried out bombings and grenade attacks against civilians, targeted killings, torture and attacks upon religious and ethnic minorities."
However, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain–an expert in international law and human rights, holds a contrary view about the report. Being critical of the terminology used in the report Mr Showkat also find many "flaws and factual inaccuracies" in the HRW report. He says: "There are so many flaws in it (the report). Essentially the report has been compiled by a journalist and their prejudices in relation to Kashmir are reflected in it, which has led to many factual inaccuracies. Had any Kashmiri or a neutral party been involved in the research and compilation process of the report, there perhaps would have been no such errors in it."
Making a reference to the number of Kashmir migrant Pandits in the report, Dr Showkat says: "It (the HRW report) says 3.5 lakh Kashmir Pandits migrated from Kashmir, which is not a fact. The census carried out by India in 1981 mentions the total number of minorities in Kashmir as 1.3 lakh, add to it 20 percent decadal growth, which means their (Pandits) number is much lesser than as mentioned in the report.
Objecting to the terminology of the report he says:
But in the eyes of Tahir Mohiuddin, the editor of the largest Urdu Weekly 'CHATTAN', being published from Srinagar the HRW report is "impartial" and he believes the research has involved lot of hard work.
"HRW has not forgiven anybody. Apparently the report sounds impartial, honest, and it is for the first time any human rights body of international fame has been allowed to document rights abuses in Kashmir. I think HRW has discussed the abuses in detail and tried to do it with honesty," Mr Tahir opines.
Brad Adams, the Asia Director at Human Rights Watch had said "human rights abuses have been a cause as well as a consequence of the insurgency in Kashmir." The report of HRW is based on research from 2004 to 2006. Being critical of the laws in force in Jammu and Kashmir which grant special powers to the troops, Adams said: "It's absurd that the world's largest democracy (India), with a well-developed legal system and internationally recognized judiciary, has laws on its books that prevent members of its security forces from being prosecuted for human rights abuses.
It's time for the Indian government to repeal laws like Armed Special Powers Act, Disturbed Area Act and Public Safety Act and recommit itself to justice for victims of all abuses, whoever the perpetrators may be."
Raashid Maqbool, a local journalist too is unhappy over the recommendations given and terminology used in the HRW report.
"Denial of right to self-determination to Kashmiris in itself is a human rights abuse and the HRW report has not mentioned it, and instead tried to play safe by equally laying blame on troops and militants fighting each other in Kashmir." |
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