FIDH is an international human rights group federating 192 organisations from 117 countries
International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) has issued a statement of concern over border tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control.
FIDH is an international human rights group federating 192 organisations from 117 countries that has been defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The organisation has called for a de-escalation of military operations, peaceful resolution of territorial disputes and high level political and diplomatic dialogue between the two countries.
“A course of action that moves towards de-escalation must be prioritised by all parties involved, to avoid
further destabilizing and militarising the broader region, which could impact civilians whose rights have been already been curtailed and under attack for decades,” said Adilur Rahman Khan, FIDH Secretary-General
“It is high time for the governments of China, India, and Pakistan to emphasise dialogue above any other actions, in order to ensure that the safety, security, and the rights of all, particularly the people of Jammu & Kashmir, are upheld and protected,” he added
On 15th June 2020, after days of growing tensions, Indian and Chinese Army clashed which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers, and capturing of 10, a claim that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied.
The clash took place along the Line of Actual Control which divides territories of Ladakh region between India and China.
China on June 19 claimed the entire Galwan Valley in Ladakh, including areas that are currently on India’s side of the Line of Actual Control.
“This is the real test of years of engagement between the top leaders of the two Asian giants. As a start, the status quo ante should be restored. Political leaders and the media in both countries also need to exercise discretion and restraint in one of the most sensitive ecological, strategic, and political spaces in the world,” Sanjoy Hazarika, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), International Director said.
“The recent escalation of tension resulting in border clashes between China and India threatens to further deteriorate the already volatile situation between Pakistan and India along the Line of Control in disputed and divided Jammu & Kashmir,” Dr Mehdi Hasan, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said.
“A permanent solution should be sought through sustained dialogue, with the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people kept front and center. In the meantime, the safety and security of the civilian population on both sides of the Line of Control must be ensured by India and Pakistan,” he added.
Giving a background of the ‘human rights violation in the internationally disputed area of Jammu and Kashnir’, FIDH and other member organisations called for an “immediate cessation of all hostilities and for access to be granted to independent observers and the media to monitor the situation.”
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