Kashmir

Debate between Lord Hussain and Lord Bates

Tuesday 21st November 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hussain]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the human rights situation in Indian-held Kashmir.

[The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Lord Bates) (Con)]

My Lords, the Government monitor closely the situation in India-administered Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegations of human rights abuses must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently.

[Lord Hussain (LD)]

I thank the Minister for that Answer. For decades, the Indian army has been reported for illegal detentions, torture, rape and murder in Kashmir. Last year, it started to use pellet guns on civilians in the region, often blinding them. According to the Amnesty International report of September this year called Losing Sight in Kashmir, of the 88 people named in the report 31 suffered injuries in both eyes. What will Her Majesty’s Government do to get those human rights abuses investigated independently and impartially?

[Lord Bates]

We are certainly aware of the accusations that were made. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that there will be remote monitoring of the human rights situation in Kashmir and the findings will be made public in the near future.