{"id":5551,"date":"2019-08-05T05:09:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T05:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=5551"},"modified":"2021-10-01T05:11:45","modified_gmt":"2021-10-01T05:11:45","slug":"escalating-loc-tension-harms-citizens-on-both-sides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/escalating-loc-tension-harms-citizens-on-both-sides\/","title":{"rendered":"Escalating LOC tension harms citizens on both sides"},"content":{"rendered":"

Escalating LOC tension harms citizens on both sides<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lahore<\/em>, 5 August<\/em>. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply alarmed at the decision by the Indian government to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. The increased deployment of troops and curfew-like restrictions on citizens are ominous\u00a0signs of what may come. This could have grave repercussions for Kashmiri\u00a0citizens on both sides of the Line of Control (LOC), should the escalation turn into armed conflict. The recent increase in exchange of fire along\u00a0the LOC and the rise in casualties, especially with the\u00a0use of cluster bombs, whose victims reportedly include children, is a matter of grave concern.<\/p>\n

With the gathering storm, the physical security and fundamental rights of Kashmiri citizens on both sides of the border are at stake. Their safety and rights must not be barefacedly trampled. Indeed, the need for regional\u00a0peace and stability has never been greater. The international human rights community, too, must add its voice to those pleading for restraint and for saner voices to prevail.<\/p>\n

Dr Mehdi Hasan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chairperson<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>