KASHMIR
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urges restraint
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced its concern about the recent violent protests in Indian-administered Kashmir that have reportedly led to civilian casualties and restrictions to the right to freedom of assembly and ex-pression.
“OHCHR calls on the Indian authorities and in particular security forces to respect the right to freedom of assembly and ex-pression, and comply with international human rights principles in controlling the demonstrators,” according to a statement issued on 27 August in Geneva.
“The use of force should be proportionate to the threat posed and firearms must only be used in dispersing a violent assembly to protect individuals against an imminent threat of death or serious injury,” it added.
The Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for thorough and independent investigations into all killings that have occurred so far.
OHCHR also called on the demonstrators to use only peaceful means when protesting.
“Leaders of the different protesting groups have a responsibility to ensure that demonstrations are peaceful and that the demonstrators are not carrying sticks, guns or other weapons and refrain from intimidation,” stated OHCHR.
