India downplays remarks by UNHCHR on J-K visit issue
Agency
New Delhi: India on Thursday downplayed remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) over denial of permission by Indian government to visit Jammu and Kashmir, saying it has been constructively engaged with the UN body to project a “correct picture” of the state.
“Indian Mission in Geneva has been constructively engaged with the UN body to project a correct picture of J&K by highlighting the central role of cross-border terrorism and its glorification in the violent protests in the Valley,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
He was responding to a question about request by the UNHCHR Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein to both India and Pakistan to grant his team access to Jammu and Kashmir as well as PoK while voicing concern over alleged human rights violations there.
“We have also stressed to UNHCHR the efforts and undivided attention of all organs of the Indian state for restoring normalcy in J&K in the face of incitement and support to terrorism from across our border.
“We will continue to encourage international community to uphold promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the parts of J&K under illegal occupation of Pakistan, and hold the concerned accountable for their violation,” said Swarup.
Al-Hussein had yesterday said it was “unfortunate” that access hasn’t been granted yet considering “the seriousness of the allegations of the use of excessive force, allegations of state sponsorship of violence, as well as the number of people killed and the very large number of people injured”.
