GENEVA: Human rights activist and chairman Kashmir Institute of International Relations Altaf Hussain Wani has sought a deeper engagement on the part of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for an unhindered access to Indian Illegal Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to effectively report on human rights issues in the region.
During a meeting with High Commissioner Volter Truk in Geneva, Wani voiced his serious concerns about the absence of references to the situation of Kashmir in the OHCHR’s updates.
He reiterated the significance of vocal advocacy for observer access to the disputed region and termed it vital for a comprehensive understanding and response to the situation.
The High Commissioner, on the occasion, said the lack of access to the disputed region posed significant challenges.
Wani, along with an eight-member Kashmiri delegation is currently in Geneva to attend 57th session of the UNHRC. He urged the commissioner to impress upon the government of India to allow human rights groups to visit the region.
The High Commissioner assured him that the OHCHR was in contact with both the governments of India and Pakistan to address these issues.
During the meeting they talked about the ongoing challenges in monitoring human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that has been turned into a no-go-area for outsiders particularly the rights bodies by India.
It may be recalled that the United Nations on several occasions had sought observer access to Kashmir to access the precarious situation that has deteriorated especially after the abrogation of article 370 and 35A by the Indian government in 2019.
