Mirwaiz completes 40 months under house detention: APHC

Demands unconditional release of its chairman, others

Srinagar, Dec 05  : All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) on Monday said that today it’s Chairman and Mirwaiz of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq completed 40 months of ‘arbitrary and extra judicial house detention’.

“Mirwaiz was put under detention on August 4th, 2019 at his residence and since then continues to be incarcerated. All his rights stand suspended. He is not allowed to come out of his house nor can visitors meet him. Police and paramilitary troops are permanently stationed outside his residence,” APHC said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

APHC said that this extra judicial incarceration of Mirwaiz, without being informed reasons for it or any charges levelled against him, is gross violation of the fundamental human rights of a person and is in complete violation of the Human Rights Convention of which India is a signatory as well as the General assembly and Human Rights Council. It is also a violation of article 14, 19 and 21 of the constitution of India, the statement said.

“Yet for the last 40 consecutive months despite appeals for his release from all quarters, being the religious head of the state also, he continues to be incarcerated” APHC said.

APHC said that it salutes the courage and determination of its chairman who is patiently and with dignity enduring this incarceration; which can only be called vindictive, and the assault on all his fundamental human rights, for standing firm on his principled political stand with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and peace in subcontinent.

Meanwhile, APHC also expressed serious concern over the plight of Kashmiri political leaders, activists, journalists, youth and others who are languishing in prisons and various jails outside Kashmir for years, many without trials and under draconian laws, stating that their plight is worrisome as they are simply left to suffer in jails for their convictions.

APHC emphasised that policies based on oppression and coercion, are short lived and cannot alter the facts of history. “Problems and disputes have to be resolved sooner or later and peaceful negotiations provide the best option,” the statement said.

APHC said that in an article written for newspapers while taking over G20 presidency , PM Modi called India the “mother of  democracy “,seeking a global leadership role and outlining its policy as one in which “challenges …be solved not by fighting each other, but only by acting together, “ talking of  “healing , harmony and hope “ as the approach.

“What wonders would it do for the whole region if the same approach be adopted in dealings with the lingering Kashmir conflict,” APHC asked.

APHC reiterated the call for unconditional release of all political prisoners, activists, journalists and youth including its chairman, which will lead to creating a favorable environment for reconciliation and resolution of issues—(KNO)