Srinagar, Mar 21: The Amnesty International report seeking an end to use of Public Safety Act (PSA) by the Govern¬ment in Jammu and Kashmir has been welcomed by the separatists as well as Opposition Peoples Democratic Party. While pro-freedom parties said the report corroborates their stand that Kashmir has been turned into a ‘Police State’, the PDP said it is a ‘black spot on country’s demo¬cratic system.’
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani said, “We are thankful to the Amnesty International for highlighting the human rights violations being committed on Kashmiris and their demand for immediate repeal of PSA and AFSPA,” Geelani said.
The pro-freedom leader urged United Nations and organizations for protection of human rights to put pressure on India to solve Kashmir. He said Amnesty is an international organization and he was hopeful that world would take notice of the issue raised by it.
Welcoming the AI report, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said they were hopeful that the international organization would follow up with some kind of action on it.
“They (Amnesty) have virtually said that Jammu and Kashmir is a Police State and there is no accountability. We are hopeful that they will take these issues with the Government of India at highest level and ensure justice is done in the state,” he told Greater Kashmir.
Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muhammad Yasin Malik said it is the responsibility of the Indian civil society to play a role for ensuring end to HR violation in the state.
“Government of India and state government should stop human rights violations in the state. Our youth has shown transition from violent to non-violent movement. They should be given space for carrying on the political movement,” Malik said.
“Detentions under the PSA are administrative detentions without any charge sheet and trial. This is criminalization of dissent in Kashmir and punishing people for years without trial,” Parvez Imroze, chairman of the Coalition for Civil Society and noted human rights lawyer told a news agency.
“It is to undermine the criminal justice system. The report is a welcome step and we have to see whether it makes any difference to the detainees and the civil society whose members have also been detained under PSA,” he added.
Peoples Democratic Party chief, Mehbooba Mufti, said the Amnesty report is a “black spot” on the country’s democratic system.
“The damning report on the misuse of Public Safety Act in Kashmir highlights the reversal of the healing touch and reconciliation process in the state under the present coalition.”
She said the report should be taken as a challenge to set things right in the state that has “suffered worst turmoil and has been struggling to sort out matters through peaceful means for several years now.”
“The subversion of judicial system by the state Government which ignores court orders with impunity has added a more sinister dimension to the human rights crisis in the state,” she regretted.
CPI-M leader, MY Tarigami said there were some good points raised in the report. “The Act needs to be revisited. It is being grossly misused and there is no legal protection to the detainees,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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