Pakistan has made five recommendations aimed at addressing alleged human rights issues in India before the United Nations, reflecting the chill in ties between the two countries.
In comments certain to irk New Delhi, Pakistan said India should take “visible policy (decisions) and other measures to ensure freedom of religion and beliefs, and address the alarming trend of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, including mob violence committed, incited and advocated by right-wing parties and affiliated extremist organisations against minorities – particularly Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Dalits”.
The recommendations were made to the draft report as part of the ongoing working group meeting on the Universal Periodic Review of India in Geneva. The session will conclude on May 12.
Referring to issues pertaining to Kashmir, Pakistan said India should “immediately stop its atrocities and violations of human rights” against residents of the Valley, and allow them to exercise their “right to self-determination through a free-and-fair plebiscite in accordance with the United Nations Security Council’s resolution”.
It also urged India to “repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act as well as the Public Safety Act, and take credible actions to end the prevailing culture of impunity in India-occupied Kashmir”.
Another recommendation stated that India should “immediately ban the use of pellet guns and hold those who have used lethal force against unarmed civilians in Kashmir accountable for their actions”. It also called for allowing the United Nations and other international organisations “unhindered access” to report on the prevailing human rights situation in the Valley.
The United States made three recommendations, one of which included ensuring of “consistent, transparent application of Foreign Contributions Regulations Act regulations to permit full exercise of the right to freedom of association”.
Source: HindustanTimes