Amnesty International asks Modi to immediately lift communications blackout in J&K
Posted: 15 Aug 2019 08:37 AM PDTBangalore / New Delhi, India—The Amnesty International India, a leading human rights body, has today asked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift the communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir and hold dialogue with the people of the state.
“It is a paradox that as India celebrates its 73rd Independence Day today, the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to be subjected to a lockdown for the past 10 days. Amnesty International India calls on the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to lift the communications blackout and listen and engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the press release by Amnesty International India.
  Daring the Indian PM Narendra Modi to prove his claims of support of J&K people to his move of scrapping the Article 370, Mr. Aakar Patel has said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that his decisions regarding Jammu and Kashmir have the support of the people of India, then he must immediately lift the 10-day old communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir.
  “The Prime Minister must listen to the people in the region, engage with them and hear what they have to say when it comes to decisions that affect their lives. This sadly has just not happened since 5 August”, he added.
  “Right now, as India celebrates its freedom, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are unable to contact their loved ones and express their views freely.
Any restrictions must always be limited in duration and scope, demonstrably necessary and proportionate for a legitimate purpose defined under international law”, said Aakar.
  He further said that the Indian government needs to realize that the ongoing complete clampdown on civil liberties in Jammu and Kashmir will only likely increase tensions, alienate the people and increase the risk of further human rights violations.
“The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and other global human rights experts have stated that shutting down entire parts of communications systems can never be justified under international human rights law. Yet the right to freedom of movement and right to freedom of expression and opinion of the people continue to be paralyzed in Jammu and Kashmir. The lockdown has ensured the Indian Government’s near-total control over information coming out of the region. Political opposition leaders and activists in the region continue to be silenced by the government. There are no details available on former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti who were detained on 5 August. Access to education and healthcare remain hindered,” reads the press release of Amnesty.