Srinagar, May 22 : Kashmir High Court Bar Association “appreciated” three Special Rapporteurs of United Nations Human Rights Council for seeking details on steps taken to provide justice to victims and next of their kin in 76 cases of torture and arbitrary killing of civilians in J&K from 1990, which include 13 in the year 2018 alone.
The lawyers’ body ridiculed the Indian response to the letter and describes the same as violative of the Charter of UN and the International Covenants, which obligates to bring to an end all the human rights violations “taking place in J&K and to conduct thorough, prompt and impartial investigation so that justice is provided to the victims of the crime and the guilty are punished.”
The Bar members also appreciate the role played by Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons and J&K Coalition of Civil Society, who have from time to time, highlighted the human rights violations which have been taking place in the State from 1990 onwards.
“The Bar Association also denounces the handing over of 60 Kanals of Land at Zakoora to CRPF for 99 years, by the District Magistrate, Srinagar, in violation of the orders of the High Court, which had directed the vacation of the land and terms the same as a blatant violation of law and the directions of the High Court.” It has sought initiation of Suo-motu contempt proceedings against those, who have disobeyed the orders of the High Court, as the same besides being illegal, also amounts to the impeding the course of justice as also constitutes interference with the administration of justice.