WKAF Urges UN to Protect Activists & Free Speech-
Washington, DC: The World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) issued the following statement denouncing the criminal case against Kashmiri political activists Dr Asif Dar and Muzzamil Thakur:
“We condemn the fraudulent charges made against Dr Asif Dar and Mr. Muzzammil Thakur by the Indian National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Dr Dar is one of Kashmir’s most accomplished and peaceful activists, an anesthesiologist, and role model for Kashmiri youth. Muzzammill Thakur is a London-based human rights defender and political activist of Kashmiri ancestry.
On Thursday, January 6, Indian police registered a case against Dr Dar and Mr. Thakur under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), after two militants claimed to be working under their orders following a targeted killing… Such baseless claims made by the Indian government are used to suppress the indigenous population’s free speech and activists’ efforts to relieve Kashmir from foreign occupation.
Actions taken by the NIA are politically motivated and are part of the Indian government’s attempt to censor peaceful Kashmiri voices. The UAPA has been used countless times to harass, assault and imprison activists, political leaders and journalists who aim to expose the human rights violations committed by Indian forces. As human rights violations against the people of Jammu & Kashmir continue, it is important for activists like Dr Dar and Muzzammil Thakur to continue to expose the atrocities committed by Indian forces to the rest of the world… WKAF
