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APDP welcomes UN Rapporteur report on HR violations

SYED YASIR. Dated: 5/11/2013 10:11:35 AM

SRINAGAR, May 10: Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) has welcomed the report of United Nations Special Rapporteur Christoffer Heynes on human rights violations in Kashmir.
Staging a monthly sit in protest here at Pratap Park, the APDP chairperson Parveena Ahangar told Kashmir Times that she welcomes the report.
She said that after having a meeting with UN Rapporteur in Srinagar last year she briefed him about human rights violations and custodial disappearances by security forces and their agencies.
The APDP chairperson claimed that UN Rapporteur has taken a strong note of these allegations and has written in his report to Human Right Council on April 26 that New Delhi should be asked to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for respecting human rights in Kashmir.
She said UN has also recommended that FIRs should be registered against the officers allegedly involved in human right violations and custodial disappearances. The UN Rapporteur has also stressed that promotions and other types of awards given to security forces personal allegedly involved in human rights violation cases should be immediately stopped until a proper clarification of facts.
The APDP chairperson said the UN organization has also recommended a prompt ratification on International convention for the protection of all persons from Enforced Disappearances, enacting the prevention of torture bill and ensuring its compliance with CAT.
Parveena Ahangar said that the Rapporteur has also recommended that the practice of United Nations Special Procedures should continue, especially in areas where international concern has been expressed, such as torture and enforced disappearances.
“The report has also recommended that the recommendations made in 2012 by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders should be given a serious consideration with a view to their implementation,” she said.
The ADPD said that on April 22 a delegation of APDP led by its chairperson, Parveena Ahangar, met with Rashida Manjoo, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Torture, in New Delhi.
The Special Rapporteur was briefed about the human rights violations being committed by the state and the efforts being made by the families of the enforced disappearances to know the whereabouts of their dear ones. She was also apprised of the problems being faced by the victims of human rights violations is getting justice.
The Chairperson, APDP, also presented a report to her about the issue of enforced disappearances, besides submitting several cases. The Special Rapporteur assured the delegation that she will report the issue with the United Nation.
The APDP also said that on May 3 a group of the family members of the victims of enforced disappearances led by Parveena Ahangar visited New Delhi to hold a sit-in at Jantar Mantar against the human rights atrocities being committed by the state and denial of justice to the victims thereof.
The group was denied permission to hold the sit-in as they were put under house arrest by the police. Ironically, the civil society of India, who claims to work and be with us when they come to Kashmir, kept mum.