India slams Pakistan at UN, raises PoK violence issue

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India has exposed Pakistan's hypocrisy on human rights issues to the world at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. While violent protests are raging in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), India sharply criticized Pakistan, raising the issue of persecution of minorities there.

Diplomat Mohammad Hussain, representing India, said, "It is ironic that a country with the worst record on human rights is trying to preach to other countries." He said that Pakistan misuses this platform by making fabricated allegations against India, which exposes its double standards. Hussain stressed, "Instead of resorting to propaganda, Pakistan should look at the state-sponsored persecution and systematic discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities in its own country."

This session is taking place at a time when there is tremendous discontent against Pakistan in PoK. Addressing the UNHRC, United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan demanded international intervention against Pakistan's increasing repression in PoK. He said that Islamabad is deploying the army to crush the protests, the internet has been shut down and communication systems have been disrupted. Khan said, "More than 3 million Kashmiris are under siege in PoK, while 2 million people are cut off from their families abroad."

It is noteworthy that the peaceful protests in PoK demanding reduction in electricity rates, subsidized wheat and better health services have turned violent, in which at least three people have been killed and more than 22 injured.