Justice For All Exposes Severe Religious Freedom Violations in Kashmir in Groundbreaking Report "Peace of a Graveyard"
September 13th, 2024
Toronto, ON – Under our Kashmir Action campaign, Justice For All Canada has released its latest report, Peace of a Graveyard, shedding light on the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The report offers a detailed analysis of the repression of religious freedoms and other systemic violations perpetrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in India. Covering the period from January to June 2024, the report draws on first-hand accounts from impacted Kashmiri families, local activists, and human rights organizations. Despite the BJP’s claims of “peace” in the region, our latest publication highlights the stark contrast between these statements and the reality on the ground, including deeply entrenched violations of religious freedoms, arbitrary detention, property confiscation, and restrictions on political and freedom of expression.
“The pursuit of peace cannot be built on the lives of Kashmiris who are denied justice. We are witnessing a population living under the shadow of impunity and fear. It is the international community’s duty to bring this human rights matter to the forefront, to insist on accountability, to demand an end to these violations, and to ensure that the people of Kashmir are not forgotten. Their rights to self-determination, freedom of expression, and security must be protected, not eroded by violence and repression,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
Key findings from the Peace of a Graveyard report include:
The Peace of a Graveyard report was developed by relying extensively on primary sources, including testimonies from families of victims, journalists, and human rights activists living in Kashmir. Due to the highly repressive environment and fear of reprisals, many Kashmiri families remain silent about the abuses they face, which further complicates documentation efforts. Despite such challenges associated with advocacy for Kashmir, Justice For All Canada has cross-referenced this data with credible international and local sources.
Justice For All Canada calls upon the Canadian government, along with international organizations, governments, and human rights defenders, to demand accountability from the BJP government for the grave human rights violations highlighted in the report. Immediate intervention is needed to ensure the protection of Kashmiri religious freedoms and other fundamental rights.
A copy of the report can be accessed here: www.justiceforallcanada.org/peace_of_a_graveyard_kashmirreport
Contact Information:
Tazeen Hasan
[email protected].
Justice For All Canada is a human rights advocacy organization challenging genocide faced by oppressed and marginalized communities around the world. Through our Kashmir Action campaign, we raise awareness about human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and petition for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.
Toronto, ON – Under our Kashmir Action campaign, Justice For All Canada has released its latest report, Peace of a Graveyard, shedding light on the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The report offers a detailed analysis of the repression of religious freedoms and other systemic violations perpetrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in India. Covering the period from January to June 2024, the report draws on first-hand accounts from impacted Kashmiri families, local activists, and human rights organizations. Despite the BJP’s claims of “peace” in the region, our latest publication highlights the stark contrast between these statements and the reality on the ground, including deeply entrenched violations of religious freedoms, arbitrary detention, property confiscation, and restrictions on political and freedom of expression.
“The pursuit of peace cannot be built on the lives of Kashmiris who are denied justice. We are witnessing a population living under the shadow of impunity and fear. It is the international community’s duty to bring this human rights matter to the forefront, to insist on accountability, to demand an end to these violations, and to ensure that the people of Kashmir are not forgotten. Their rights to self-determination, freedom of expression, and security must be protected, not eroded by violence and repression,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
Key findings from the Peace of a Graveyard report include:
- Religious Freedom Violations: Since the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's political autonomy in 2019, religious freedoms have been severely curtailed. The Indian government has repeatedly shut down Srinagar’s Jamia mosque, banned religious festivals, and placed religious leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. This is part of a broader campaign to suppress the Kashmiri Muslim identity.
- Arbitrary Detentions: Kashmiri civilians, including political activists and religious clerics, continue to face arbitrary arrests under Draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act. Detainees, including Sarjan Barkati, remain incarcerated without trial, and their families are left without recourse.
- Economic Disenfranchisement and Property Confiscations: The report documents how Kashmiri properties have been seized under flimsy pretexts, contributing to the economic disenfranchisement of the local population. Around 37 properties were seized in the first half of 2024, with many more expected to be confiscated.
- Militarization and Settler-Colonization: Kashmir remains one of the most militarized zones in the world. New settler colonies are being constructed to accommodate families of Indian military personnel, dramatically altering the region’s demographic and cultural landscape.
The Peace of a Graveyard report was developed by relying extensively on primary sources, including testimonies from families of victims, journalists, and human rights activists living in Kashmir. Due to the highly repressive environment and fear of reprisals, many Kashmiri families remain silent about the abuses they face, which further complicates documentation efforts. Despite such challenges associated with advocacy for Kashmir, Justice For All Canada has cross-referenced this data with credible international and local sources.
Justice For All Canada calls upon the Canadian government, along with international organizations, governments, and human rights defenders, to demand accountability from the BJP government for the grave human rights violations highlighted in the report. Immediate intervention is needed to ensure the protection of Kashmiri religious freedoms and other fundamental rights.
A copy of the report can be accessed here: www.justiceforallcanada.org/peace_of_a_graveyard_kashmirreport
Contact Information:
Tazeen Hasan
[email protected].
Justice For All Canada is a human rights advocacy organization challenging genocide faced by oppressed and marginalized communities around the world. Through our Kashmir Action campaign, we raise awareness about human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and petition for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.