India's 'unilateral decision' likely to increase risk of 'human rights violations': Amnesty

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BACKGROUND: Indian security personnel patrol on a deserted road during restrictions in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, August 5, 2019. REUTERS/Danish Ismail; SUPERIMPOSED: The logo of Amnesty International
 

LONDON: Amnesty International on Monday termed India's move to revoke Article 370 in Occupied Kashmir as a "unilateral decision" and said it was "likely to increase the risk of further human rights violations & inflame tensions".

Earlier, on Monday morning, the Indian government had rushed through a presidential decree to abolish Article 370 of the Constitution that grants special status to Indian occupied Kashmir — a move that Pakistan had condemned and rejected.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the London-based human rights organisation said: "The unilateral decision by Government of India to revoke Jammu & Kashmir's special status without consulting J&K stakeholders, amidst a clampdown on civil liberties & communications blackout is likely to increase the risk of further human rights violations & inflame tensions.

Its India chapter, on the other hand, noted: “Important decisions about Jammu and Kashmir are being decided by the Parliament without absolutely any consultation with the people."

Late Sunday night, when tensions ignited in Occupied Kashmir, Amnesty's India chapter had tweeted out a list of things for people to know and be aware of.

"#JammuAndKashmir is currently experiencing internet shutdown. Here are 5 things you need to know," it had written.

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