Kashmir

Mr Gardiner discussed the political situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, highlighting that it is neither a country nor a province with clear devolved authority. He noted that all major civil and police administrative positions are held by Pakistani officers and there is no representation in the Pakistan Parliament or inter-provincial bodies. Mr Gardiner also mentioned religious persecution in Pakistan, stringent blasphemy laws, terrorist training camps, and human rights violations as reported by Human Rights Watch. He asked the Minister if he could confirm that over 50% of the population in DDC elections freely took part, and that the Bharatiya Janata party won as the largest single party.

He highlighted the human rights issue in Kashmir, mentioning a large Kashmiri diaspora in his constituency. He emphasized the importance of visiting Kashmir to understand the situation and spoke about detention without trial for up to 15 years, torture, disappearances, and sexual violence against women. He called for an international programme through the United Nations to protect human rights in Kashmir.

Jim Shannon expressed concern about human rights violations in both India and Pakistan-administered areas of Kashmir, highlighting the loss of civilian life due to security forces and arbitrary arrests. He noted 1,081 civilians were killed between 2008 and 2018 and that many remain detained under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act. Shannon also raised issues of religious freedom violations in both territories, mentioning the arrest of children and economic losses estimated at $2.4 billion due to restrictions.

He congratulated Sarah Owen on securing the debate and emphasised that it is a matter of right and wrong, not left versus right. He highlighted the need for human rights to be universal concerns, expressing deep concern over the communications shutdown affecting families in Jammu and Kashmir. Spellar also criticised India's rewriting of its constitution, undermining Kashmir's autonomy, and mentioned violent crackdowns on individuals including beatings, shootings, arrests, and disappearances.

Ms Shah criticised the Indian Government for revoking Kashmir's special status and implementing curfews, arrests, media blackouts, and violations of human rights. She highlighted that 250 Kashmiris were killed, 1,500 injured, 4,815 cordon and search operations took place, political leaders were arrested, and the demographics of Kashmir changed. Ms Shah called for reassurances from the UN and questioned if the UK's arms sales to India are contributing to a genocide in Kashmir.

Mr Moore acknowledged the heavy lockdown restrictions imposed on Kashmir since August 2019, which led to arrests, harassment, property revocation, destruction of properties, and loss of lives. He reported that nearly 300 Kashmiris were killed, over 1,600 injured, and more than 900 houses destroyed since the special status was revoked. Mr Moore urged the Government to investigate allegations of human rights abuses and seek a solution through UN human rights officials accessing both sides of the line of control.

She expressed her experience visiting a refugee camp in Pakistan near the line of control, witnessing first-hand the torture and suffering faced by Kashmiris. She condemned the curfews, communication blackouts, media restrictions, and arrests of politicians and human rights activists. Britcliffe also highlighted the lack of fair trials for detainees under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act.

He expressed concern over the human rights crisis in Kashmir, highlighting the conflict's long history and its recent developments. He mentioned that up to 95,000 have been killed since 1989 due to political and military conflicts, making Kashmir the most militarised place on earth. Stephen Kinnock also questioned India's unilateral revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which led to a lockdown with severe impacts on daily life, including health services and media freedom.