A crucial debate on human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir was held in the House of Commons, UK, led by Sarah Smith MP. The debate, secured by Smith, highlighted the repression under Indian occupation, drawing attention to arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses. Fahim Kayani, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK, and All Parties Kashmir Alliance, UK, congratulated Sarah Smith, MP, for bringing the issue to the UK Parliament, stating that the discussion exposed the “brutal face of Indian occupation in Kashmir.”

Opening the debate, Sarah Smith criticized India’s occupation  forces, stating that they continue to enforce “repressive policies, including arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and other serious abuses.” She highlighted that laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and the Public Safety Act (PSA) obstruct justice, impede accountability, and deprive victims of their rights.

Amnesty International also raised concerns, stating that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act gives Indian forces “de facto legal immunity” for human rights violations, while the UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor stressed that “states must respect human rights obligations and be held accountable for violations.” Amnesty’s review of habeas corpus petitions revealed a sevenfold increase in Public Safety Act cases after 2019, disproportionately affecting Muslim-majority areas like Srinagar over Hindu-majority Jammu.

Several MPs called for the UK to condition its trade agreements with India on improvements in human rights in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Imran Hussain, MP, highlighted 70 years of suffering, persecution, and oppression faced by Kashmiris. He condemned enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and what he described as the world’s largest military occupation. Ayoub Khan, MP, questioned the UK’s stance on human rights, asking, “How can we claim to champion human rights while turning a blind eye to atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir?”

He compared Kashmir’s situation to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, criticizing Western inaction. Tahir Ali, MP, challenged India’s democratic claims, asking, “If India is the world’s largest democracy, why does it refuse international observers in Kashmir?” He condemned extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and the use of pellet guns against schoolchildren, asserting that Kashmir is not a bilateral issue but a matter of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

Muhammad Iqbal, MP, condemned the repression in Kashmir, as highlighted by Amnesty International’s reports of arbitrary detentions and human rights violations. The UK government must lead in pressing India to uphold UN resolutions and respect Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, he added. Yasmin Qureshi,  MP, said: “As someone with deep personal ties to Kashmir, I stress the UK’s historical responsibility due to its role in the partition. The revocation of Article 370 by India in 2019 has exacerbated the suffering of Kashmiris.

I urge the UK government to advocate for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and take a stronger stance on human rights, moving beyond the bilateral narrative.” Catherine West, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to human rights in its foreign policy, including within trade agreements with India.

She emphasized the government’s ongoing work with international organizations such as the UN to address human rights issues A number of British MPs, including Andy McDonald, Stella Creasy, Jim Shannon, Abtisam Mohamed ,Harpreet Uppal, Gareth Snell, David Williams , Dr Allison Gardner .Wendy Morton, and Paul Waugh, participated in the debate, raising concerns over human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)