Pakistan Accuses India of Using Enforced Disappearances as Oppression in Kashmir at UN Meeting

Islamabad: Pakistan has voiced concerns at a United Nations panel, alleging that authorities in Indian-occupied Kashmir are employing enforced disappearances as a means to suppress the local population. During a session with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, part of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, the issue was highlighted as a severe violation of human rights in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Pakistani delegate Sarfraz Gohar, during the interactive dialogue, stated, “While Pakistan remains vigilant in addressing cases of enforced disappearances domestically, we cannot overlook the alarming situation in conflict zones, especially in areas under foreign occupation.” The focus of the Working Group encompasses various social, humanitarian, and cultural issues, providing a platform for discussion on these pressing concerns.

Gohar emphasized that enforced disappearances in Kashmir are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader strategy of intimidation that often leads to further human rights violations, including torture and extrajudicial killings. He cited data from reputed human rights organizations, indicating over 8,000 unaccounted disappearances and the emergence of unmarked graves, which underscore the prevailing culture of impunity.

The session also covered Pakistan’s domestic efforts to address enforced disappearances, including the establishment of a National Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in 2011, which collaborates closely with victims’ families to provide legal support and ensure justice.

The dialogue concluded with calls for international oversight and cooperation to tackle the issue of enforced disappearances globally, reflecting ongoing concerns about the practice’s prevalence and the need for stringent measures to eradicate it.

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