Hurriyat Demands Release of Political Prisoners, Condemns Forcible Takeover of Kashmir Press Club

“The policy of repression and demolition of institutions in J&K being pursued by the authorities is extremely unfortunate and sad.”

SRINAGAR — The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has expressed grave concern over the plight of Kashmiri political prisoners, youth, human rights activists, and others, incarcerated for years in various jails in Jammu and Kashmir and in prisons across India.

The Hurriyat, in a statement, also condemned the forcible takeover and closure of Kashmir Press Club by the state authorities saying that the policy of repression and demolition of institutions in J&K being pursued by the authorities is extremely unfortunate and sad.

The Hurriyat said that according to family sources most of the prisoners suffered from various ailments, aggravated due to prolonged imprisonment and lack of treatment and medical facilities available to them in prison.

APHC said that in view of the onset of the third wave of Coronavirus and its new variant Omicron’s increasing spread, the life of these detainees already in bad shape is at great risk. They should be immediately released on humanitarian grounds giving respite to their families too who are constantly worried about their life.

“Hurriyat Conference makes a strong appeal to the people of India and to people across the globe and to international human rights organizations – the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Amnesty International, Asia Watch, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take note of the issue of Kashmiri political prisoners and youth and activists who are suffering in jails for their dissenting views and push for their unconditional release, including that of APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who continues to be under illegal and arbitrary house arrest since 5 August 2019,” the statement said.