The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take urgent notice of the unlawful conviction and sentencing of three Kashmiri women activists under India’s draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The JKDFP Acting President, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, in a letter addressed to OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, expressed grave concern over the life imprisonment awarded to prominent resistance leader Aasiya Andrabi and 30-year sentences handed to her associates Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen on March 24,  2026.

He stated that the court failed to prove any involvement of the women in acts of violence, terming the verdict politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissenting voices. The letter highlighted that the charges against the women were primarily based on speeches and social media expressions reflecting political opinions and historical perspectives on the Kashmir dispute, which were criminalized under the UAPA.

It noted that the law has been widely criticized for violating international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a signatory. Saghar emphasized that the verdict reflects a broader pattern of judicial repression in the occupied territory, where thousands of Kashmiris, including political leaders and human rights activists, remain imprisoned.

He pointed out that several prominent figures, including Dr. Qasim Faktoo and Muhammad Yasin Malik, have also been handed life sentences, while senior leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah continues to languish in jail despite serious health concerns. The DFP maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory and its people have the right to freely express political views and pursue their right to self-determination.

It warned that criminalizing political dissent and historical discourse would further shrink democratic space and undermine the rule of law in the territory. The party called upon the OIC to investigate the misuse of UAPA against peaceful political activists, press for a review of the convictions, and urge India to align its laws with international human rights obligations. It stressed that urgent international intervention is essential to safeguard the rights of Kashmiri political prisoners and prevent further violations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)