Ariana News Agency-\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Reports have described a near total communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir since the evening of 4 August, with internet access, mobile phone networks, and cable and Kashmiri television channels cut off.<\/p>\n The experts expressed concern that the measures, imposed after the Indian Parliament revoked the Constitutionally-mandated status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, would exacerbate tensions in the region.<\/p>\n \u201cThe shutdown of the internet and telecommunication networks, without justification from the Government, are inconsistent with the fundamental norms of necessity and proportionality,\u201d the experts said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe blackout is a form of collective punishment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, without even a pretext of a precipitating offence.\u201d<\/p>\n The Government has also imposed a curfew across Jammu and Kashmir, with massive numbers of troops brought in to enforce movement and peaceful assembly restrictions, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.<\/p>\n \u201cWe remind the Indian authorities that the restrictions imposed by the Indian Government are intrinsically disproportionate, because they preclude considerations of the specific circumstances of each proposed assembly,\u201d the experts stated.<\/p>\n At the same time, information received suggests an increase in the arrest of political figures, journalists, human rights defenders, protesters and others.<\/p>\n The experts expressed deep concern over reports that security forces were conducting night raids on private homes leading to the arrests of young people.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch detentions could constitute serious human rights violations,\u201d the experts spelled out. \u201cThe allegations must be thoroughly investigated by the authorities, and, if confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable\u201d.<\/p>\n Moreover, they are \u201cgravely concerned\u201d over allegations that \u201cthe whereabouts of some of those detained is not known\u201d, heightening the risk of enforced disappearances, \u201cwhich may proliferate against the backdrop of mass arrests and restricted access to the internet and other communications networks\u201d.<\/p>\n The independent experts also raised the alarm over excessive force against protesters, including the use of live ammunition, which could amount to violations of the right to life.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia has the responsibility to use the minimum force necessary when policing protests,\u201d the experts concluded. \u201cThis means that the use of deadly force is a measure permissible only as last resort and to protect life.\u201d<\/p>\n The UN experts are David Kaye Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Bernard Duhaime, Chair-Rapporteur, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the right to peaceful assembly and association; and Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.<\/p>\n Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honourary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Since the Indian Government\u2019s 5 August announcement revoking Kashmir\u2019s special status, tighter central Government control has resulted with access to information and peaceful protests quashed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_mat_hreflang_tags":[],"addvideo":"","video_duration":"","farsit":"","target":"0","top_stories":"0","top":"0"},"categories":[306],"tags":[68,609,67],"class_list":["post-3866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-human-rights","tag-india","tag-kashmir","tag-pakistan"],"acf":{"myctype":"change","target":false,"top_stories":false,"top":false,"farsit":""},"yoast_head":"\n