Amnesty International UK called on the Indian government to immediately release all illegally detained the political leaders in occupied Kashmir and put an end to the deliberate silencing of voices in the region.
The Executive Director of Amnesty International in India Aakar Patel raised concerns over the situation in occupied Kashmir.
He said depriving an entire population from their right to freedom of expression for an indefinite period runs squarely counter to the international norms and standards.
“For the 22nd day in a row, life has been derailed for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Patel in the statement. “The communication blockade and security clampdown, the alleged detention of political leaders and restrictions on media to report has created an information black hole in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He added, “Depriving an entire population of their right to freedom of expression, opinion and movement for an indefinite period runs squarely counter to international norms and standards. Worse, it gives the Government of India a near-total control over the information coming out of the region.”
