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| GoI finally gives nod to AI's Kashmir visit | | 2 member team to arrive on May 17 | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 12: For the first time in the past twenty years, the government of India has finally given its nod for Amnesty International's (AI) Kashmir visit. The visit shall commence from May 17.
According to highly placed sources, New Delhi has finally given permission to a two member team of the AI to visit conflict torn Kashmir. The two member team has already arrived from London and is expected in Srinagar on May 17.
The sources said the team was busy finalizing its itinerary in New Delhi. The team, according to sources, is expected to concentrate mainly on preventive detention of political prisoners and the laws that allow such detention.
The separatists and local human rights defenders have been seeking AI intervention in Kashmir for the past two decades. A survey conducted by a sociology student reveals that twenty thousand appeals urging AI to take note of `human rights violations' in Kashmir have been made by various quarters since the commencement of insurgency.
The government of India, however, denied permission to the group till date. The decision to allow the AI team to visit Kashmir at this point of time has come as a big surprise to the people. Separatist organizations have started preparing documents for perusal by the AI team.
There is no denying the fact that AI has expressed concern over rights abuses in Kashmir. It has also sought repeal of laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Disturbed Area Act and Public Safety Act (PSA). In its 2004 report, the AI went to the extent of saying that laws like AFSPA and Disturbed Area Act instigate and encourage fake encounters, custodial killings and enforced disappearances. But of late, the AI's interest in Kashmir has diminished.
There was a time when AI issued its statements on Kashmir from London headquarters. Now all such statements are issued from Amnesty's New Delhi office.
Valley based human rights defenders perceive it as a major shift in AI policy. Quoting `informed sources' they say the AI is greatly influenced by New Delhi. The results are obvious. Slowly but surely Amnesty has taken its hands off Kashmir.
However, notwithstanding the pessimism expressed by the local human rights defenders, the people in general seem very enthusiastic about the visit. They are hopeful of a positive response from the AI. The AI team, therefore, is going to have a busy schedule in Srinagar.
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