SANA

SRINAGAR, Nov 14 (SANA): Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Indian government to act with restraint during elections in occupied Jammu Kashmir.

AI, an organization campaigning for internationally recognized human rights for all today urged Indian troops to act with restraint and avoid excessive use of force ahead of over month-long seven-phase elections in Jammu Kashmir which begin November 17.

It said various security legislation in force - Jammu Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act - facilitate impunity by providing discretionary powers to the armed forces and effectively enabling them to violate human rights.

AI said that the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) operates under a limited mandate which prevents it from independently investigating allegations of such violations and the state authorities often ignore the Commission’s recommendations.

It urged New Delhi to address the culture of impunity in Jammu Kashmir including during the recent unrest through a prompt, independent and impartial investigation by a competent authority into any injury or death caused by the use of force or firearms; arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials.

It also urged New Delhi to unconditionally repeal AFSPA and other state-level security legislation which contravene the country’s international human rights obligations and that continue to pose grave threats to human rights.

AI also appealed to all organizations including political parties and armed groups in Jammu Kashmir not to commit or condone acts of violence against political opponents, or make statements or undertake actions that would constitute incitement to such violence.

It called on armed groups to respect minimum standards of humanity set out in international law, reflected in Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions which sets out standards to be observed in armed conflict with regard to persons taking no active part in hostilities, including the prohibition on “violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds”.

AI also said it was unaware of findings of any inquiry into the August 11 firing at Baramulla in which senior separatist leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz and at least six others were shot dead during the Muzaffarabad March procession.

It said troops were unwarranted in their use of force at Baramulla and a few other places during the unrest.

AI said that the state authorities must ensure that troops comply with international human rights standards on law enforcement, in particular those relating to the use of force, including the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
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