Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of (a) the United Nations and (b) another independent observer to report on alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir.
We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently.
We are in regular contact with both the Indian and Pakistani Governments and have discussed the situation in Kashmir, the issue of human rights, and our concerns, with both governments.