Denial of Kashmiri's rights is “a telling example” of Indian impunity: Lodhi

NEW YORK: Speaking in the third committee of the General Assembly on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Maleeha Lodhi, stated that India’s consistent denial of the Kashmiri right to self-determination is “a telling example” of Indian impunity.

“The egregious violations of human rights in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are a blot on the conscience of humanity, and these abuses demand immediate corrective action by the international community,” said Maleeha Lodhi

Ambassador Lodhi said that the latest report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had “lifted the veil from decades of obfuscation by India of massive human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir”.

She said that when the Kashmiri people demand the right of self-determination promised to them by several Security Council resolutions, they are met with repression and ruthless human rights abuses at the hands of Indian occupying forces.

Reiterating Pakistan’s abiding commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, Ambassador Lodhi briefed the committee on the steps taken by Pakistan to ensure these rights.

“Our constitution devotes a chapter to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of all, without discrimination”, she said, while pointing out that Pakistan’s “executive, parliament, judiciary, civil society and media stand guard to protect these constitutional rights”.

The Pakistani envoy also said that the country’s new government headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to the consolidation of democratic institution, protection of human rights, rule of law and improving good governance.

“Our government has launched a new framework for social change, which focuses on education, health, women, youth and minorities”, she added.