Revoke controversial law in disputed Kashmir – Amnesty
Rights group says special law continues to feed a cycle of impunity for human rights violations in region. by Baba Umar 1 Jul 2015 Local rights activists like Parveena Ahanger says that the Indian military courts are “unreliable” and “dishonest” [Baba Umar/Al Jazeera] Human Rights group says special law in the region continues to […]
WikiLeaks disclosures: Screams from Kashmir
January 1, 2011, Issue 52 Volume 7 WikiLeaks disclosures on torture in Kashmir have fuelled fresh demands for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Baba Umar reports on the plight of victims THE WIKILEAKS exposé of the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) telling US diplomats in 2005 about “torture of civilians” in Kashmiri jails comes at a time when Union […]
PSA – A Draconian Law in Kashmir Misused To Jail Young Boys
The J&K Public Safety Act is being misused rampantly to arrest young boys. Baba Umar reports WHEN Mohammad Rafiq Sheikh, a Class X student of DAV Public School in Srinagar, was picked up by unidentified men on 2 February, he couldn’t have imagined the ordeal that awaited him. Initially, Rafiq was detained at Zakoora Police Station, where […]
Justice Verma’s Suggestions On AFSPA Welcomed in Kashmir
While members of the civil society welcomed Justice Verma’s suggestions on the controversial AFSPA the government remains non committal. Baba Umar reports Those fighting for the complete removal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA-1958) in India’s troubled Jammu and Kashmir and North East, may find a moral backing in the Justice Verma […]
Is Kashmir’s Omar Passing The Buck On AFSPA?
Legal experts claim the J&K Assembly and the Cabinet have the power to revoke AFSPA in the state, says Baba Umar On 6 March, Tahir Rasool Sofi (27) of north Kashmir’s Baramulla town was allegedly shot dead by personnel of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles. Almost 380 km away, in the state Assembly in Jammu, Chief Minister Omar […]
Repeal AFSPA, PSA From Kashmir – UN Special Rapporteur tells India
As many as 40 separate depositions were made during the meeting, unarguably the largest one ever convened by any UN’s Special Rapporteur, as part of the 10-day long official mission to India from 22 April to 1 May The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo on Wednesday appealed India to repeal the […]