New Delhi: India on Thursday hit out at the UN human rights body for “baseless” allegations of the arrest of an activist in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the remarks were “deceiving” a complete lack of understanding of the security challenges in the region. Cross-border terrorism.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that officials in India work against violation of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights.
Bagchi’s remarks came in the light of a statement made by a spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the arrest of Kashmiri rights activist Khurram Parvez.
“We have seen the statement made by OHCHR spokesperson on specific incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. This statement makes baseless and baseless allegations against law enforcement officers and security forces of India,” he said.
On Wednesday, OHCHR spokesman Rupert Colville expressed concern over Parvez’s arrest and even called for a “quick, thorough, transparent” investigation into the recent incidents of killings of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are deeply concerned by the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under the Indian Anti-Terrorism Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA),” Colville said in a statement.
Refuting the UN official’s remarks, Arindam Bagchi said that as a democratic country and with a firm commitment to protect the human rights of citizens, India takes all necessary measures to combat cross-border terrorism.
“It also reflects the lack of understanding on the part of the OHCHR about the security challenges faced by India from cross-border terrorism and its impact on the ‘right to life’, the most fundamental human right, of citizens, including in Jammu and Kashmir. ” he said.
“Referring to banned terrorist organizations as ‘armed groups’ reflects a clear bias on the part of the OHCHR,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
Bagchi said national security laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) were enacted by the Parliament to protect the sovereignty of India and ensure the safety of its citizens.
“The arrest and subsequent detention of the person mentioned in the statement was done strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law,” he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson further said, “Authorities in India act against violation of law and not against lawful exercise of rights. All such actions are strictly in accordance with law.”
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