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| `Protect life, property and rights of non-combatants' | | JKCCS appeal to New Delhi, UJC | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 3: The Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) has urged government of India and the United Jehad Council (UJC) to follow International humanitarian laws strictly to ensure due respect to human rights. JKCCS, a coalition of twelve independent groups has sent its appeal to the Chief Minister, Northern Command headquarters, General Officer Commanding 15 Corpse, Director General Police and UJC chief, Syed Salah-ud-Din.
A spokesman of the JKCCS said: "India is signatory to Geneva Conventions and other International humanitarian instruments, which regulate conduct of combat in all conflict situations wherein tensions heighten to direct hostilities among states or between state and certain non-state actors/groups."
Pertinent to mention Jammu Kashmir has been the main site of hostilities particularly during the last two decades, between Indian state actors represented by its personnel in military/para-military/Police against armed militants belonging to various outfits working under an alliance of United Jehad Council (UJC).
UJC in the year 2005 adopted and publicized its Code of Conduct which was
supposed to be binding on all the armed militant organizations and their cadres
operating in Jammu and Kashmir. This Code of Conduct was a unilateral
commitment of UJC to abide by some of the basic principles of International
Humanitarian Law. Later in October 2007 UJC, while signing the Unilateral
Declaration on the Ban of use of landmines also reiterated its commitment to abide by all four covenants of Geneva Conventions.
The spokesman said the commitments made by government of India and the militant leadership from time to time has seen very little or no enforcement on ground during the heightened phase of conflict for the last two decades particularly with respect to the treatment meted out to civilian population. "Despite all the public commitments people of Jammu Kashmir continue to witness loss of civilian lives, destruction of their property and denial of civil and political rights", he said.
The spokesman accused the non-state actors of failure to fulfil their commitments. "Civilian spaces continue to remain a contested site of direct hostilities between non-state and the state actors, which result in loss of precious lives, torture and humiliation of civilian populations", he said.
Expressing serious concern over media reports suggesting a `Hot Summer', the JKCCS has reminded the combatants of their moral, legal and religious obligations towards the non-combatants.
The JKCCS has called upon all the combatants whether state or non-state to abide by the following minimum and basic principles derived from International Humanitarian Law and other universally accepted principles:
1. During operations combatants must not target civilian objects, civilians and those not directly participating in armed hostilities.
2. During military operations, constant care must be taken to spare civilian population, civilians and civilian objects.
3. In order to avoid civilian casualties, military installations in and around population centers must not be created. Attacks against such military objectives which are expected to cause disproportionate civilian casualties and damage must not be launched.
4. During and after the combat operations wounded and sick must be collected and cared for.
5. Civilians must not be taken hostage for any reason or/and in any circumstances.
6. During operations when enemy fighters are taken prisoners, they must be treated humanely; they must not be tortured, killed or disappeared in custody.
7. The dead must be respected and their bodies not mutilated. When mortal remains are unidentified, every effort must be made to preserve evidence that could lead to their eventual identification. Graves should be marked. Where the identity of a dead person is known (whether friend or enemy), next of the kin should be promptly informed.
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