AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Srinagar, May 22, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Amnesty International in India has called upon New Delhi to take practical measures to address the scourge of unlawful killings and excessive use of force by its army and paramilitary forces, a statement cautiously welcomed by the pro-freedom leaders in occupied Kashmir as the Amnesty-India chapter avoided naming the victim territory as a direct reference.
welcoming the final report of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, G. Ananthapadmanabhan, Executive Director of Amnesty International in India in a statement in Bangalore said, “Amnesty International is greatly concerned by the general absence of accountability and a broader culture of impunity prevailing in India in relation to extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations.”
We hope that the Indian authorities will implement the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations without delay and continue engaging with UN Special Procedures,” he added.
In particular the Amnesty International echoes the Special Rapporteur’s call for India to establish a “credible commission of inquiry” to look into instances of extrajudicial executions.
India is also obligated under its national laws and international human rights commitments to ensure that no person is deprived of life or personal liberty except in accordance with the law,” Ananthapadmanabhan added.
According to the Special Rapporteur most of the unlawful killings in India occur as a result of the excessive use of force by the security forces, attacks by various armed groups, and killings of vulnerable persons
The Special Rapporteur also expressed concern about fake encounters or staged extrajudicial killings. The Special Rapporteur said he had received several submissions accusing central armed police forces, and the armed forces of engaging in such practice.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736