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Washington, The U.S. Department of State’s 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has issued stark findings on the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and other parts of India, outlining serious concerns over extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the suppression of freedom of expression.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the report criticizes actions attributed primarily to Indian armed forces in IIOJK and throughout India, noting significant issues such as arbitrary detentions, harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, and the destruction of property. It particularly emphasizes the targeting of Muslim communities and the systemic abuse of power against minorities.
The report documents 813 cases of extrajudicial killings from 2016 to 2022, with only one conviction of an army officer in Jammu and Kashmir during this period. It also highlights the use of the Public Safety Act in IIOJK, which permits the detention of individuals without charges, with more than 800 people reportedly detained under this act as of February.
Instances of harassment against journalists and activists are extensively noted, with at least 35 journalists in the region facing assaults, police interrogations, and legal battles on dubious charges. The report calls out the lack of accountability and the Indian government’s frequent justification of such actions as necessary for national security and counter-terrorism.
The U.S. report draws international attention to the urgent need for transparency and accountability in India’s handling of human rights, urging measures to protect the rights and freedoms of all its citizens, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Jammu and Kashmir.