- Wednesday, May 08, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA on Thursday (2) slammed the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) calling the remarks made by the office’s spokesperson over specific incidents in Jammu and Kashmir “baseless” and that the country “takes all necessary steps to counter cross border terrorism”.
“We have seen the statement made by the Spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on specific incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. The statement makes baseless and unfounded allegations against law enforcement authorities and security forces of India,” Arindam Baghchi, spokesperson of the Indian ministry of external affairs said on Thursday.
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In a release, Bagchi said the remarks betray a complete lack of understanding on the part of the OHCHR of the security challenges that India face from cross-border terrorism and its impact on the most fundamental human right “the Right to Life” of its citizens, including in Jammu and Kashmir.
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He said that the OCHCR demonstrated a clear bias by referring the proscribed terror organisations as “armed groups”.
“As a democratic country, with an abiding commitment to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens, India takes all necessary steps to counter cross border terrorism,” the spokesperson said.
Bagchi also said that legislation related to national security, such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), were enacted by the Indian parliament to protect the country’s sovereignty and ensure its citizens’ security.
“The arrest and subsequent detention of the individual referred to in the statement was done entirely as per provisions of law. Authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights. All such actions are strictly in accordance with the law,” Bagchi said while urging the OHCHR to develop a better understanding of the negative impact of terrorism on human rights.
The United Nations recently expressed concern over the arrest of Khurram Parvez who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency on November 22.
He was accused to be involved in anti-India activities and had direct links with a banned Pakistan-based terrorist outfit.
