International Action for Peace and Sustainable Development convened a seminar titled “Shrinking Spaces” on the sidelines of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, drawing attention to what participants described as the systematic erosion of civic space in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.  The event, presided over by the organization’s President Sardar Amjad Yousaf, brought together experts and representatives who highlighted the scale and methods of restrictions imposed in the territory and called for international and corporate accountability. 

Speakers said draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are being used to detain individuals without trial, suppress dissent and shield Indian forces personnel from accountability. The seminar also underlined prolonged communication blackouts, including a 552-day internet shutdown, continued throttling of internet speeds, restrictions on VPNs and increased digital surveillance, terming them deliberate measures to curb journalism and civic mobilization. 

Participants further raised concern over the closure of media outlets, arrests of journalists, and restrictions on international media access. The targeting of human rights defenders and political leaders, including Khurram Parvez, was cited as evidence of “criminalization of peaceful dissent”.  Addressing the gathering, Dr. Blerim Mustafa of the Geneva Nations Institute termed the situation a “laboratory” for long-term emergency governance that weakens universal rights.

Altaf Hussain Wani, Permanent Representative of the World Muslim Conference to UN Geneva, and Advocate Parvez Ahmed Shah of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference elaborated on the humanitarian and political implications for the Kashmiri people. The seminar called for immediate and independent access to the territory for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, review and release of those detained under security laws, suspension of surveillance technologies enabling rights violations, and strengthened international monitoring of civic space. 

The event was organized on the margins of the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva to spotlight the situation in the occupied territory at an international forum. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)