On Wednesday, Amnesty International issued a statement calling on Indian authorities to put an end to the ongoing repression of dissent in Jammu and Kashmir. This appeal coincided with the commencement of state-level elections in the region, the first to be held in a decade. These elections, which are taking place in three phases, will culminate on October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
Amnesty International India’s board chair, Aakar Patel, emphasized the need for Indian authorities to halt their campaign of harassment and intimidation against dissenting voices. He underscored that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should be able to freely participate in decision-making processes without facing repressive actions from the state.
The history of Jammu and Kashmir’s contentious status dates back to 1947 when its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession with India. This move has since been disputed by Pakistan and has led to decades of conflict characterized by violence and political unrest, often incited by both state forces and non-state actors, including terrorist groups.
The region’s autonomy was significantly altered in 2019 following the Indian government’s repeal of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. This contentious change abolished Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which was initially rooted in the 1947 Instrument of Accession. The Indian Prime Minister defended the repeal as a measure aimed at “normalising the situation” and “preventing terrorism.” In June 2024, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of this decision.
Since the abrogation, reports of human rights violations have surged. Amnesty International in a report from 2022 detailed an increase in state-led violations, with enforcement of the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Forces Act 1990 continuing to contribute to these issues. The Act grants the military wide-ranging powers, including shooting with impunity within designated “disturbed” areas.
Additionally, the region experienced an unprecedented internet shutdown a few years back, restricting press freedom. Although the Indian Supreme Court in Bhasin v. Union of India ruled that indefinite internet suspensions were impermissible, it did not overturn the shutdown but rather referred it back to the state. The blackout lasted over four months. Other reported rights violations include travel bans, arbitrary detention, and unlawful killings, including the revocation of passports and OCI cards of various outspoken Kashmiri journalists, effectively barring their return to India.
Amidst these developments, Amnesty International’s recent statement acts as a critical reminder of the need for protective measures that ensure the region’s inhabitants can engage in the political process without fear of repression.