JKCHR Leader Condemns India’s Revocation of Kashmir’s Status and Urges Pakistan to Raise Issue Globally

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On July 26, 2025, Dr Syed Nazir Gilani, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), issued a strong condemnation of India’s 2019 revocation of Article 370, describing it as a violation of international law. Speaking in London, Dr Gilani argued that India’s claim of constitutional authority over Jammu and Kashmir holds no legal validity in light of binding United Nations resolutions. He criticized the silence of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government, which he claimed allowed India to exploit the situation without adequate opposition.

Dr Gilani stressed that the JKCHR had formally submitted a petition to the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, challenging India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir as unlawful. He urged Pakistan to intensify its diplomatic efforts to bring global attention to the Kashmir issue, particularly in major international forums. According to Gilani, Pakistan, as a principal party to the dispute, bears a responsibility to advocate for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination with greater urgency.

In his remarks, Dr Gilani also criticized India for obstructing the natural flow of water from Jammu and Kashmir into Pakistan. He described these actions as “water terrorism,” claiming they violated international law and constituted an attack on Pakistan’s agricultural sector and broader human rights. He called for these concerns to be raised in environmental and humanitarian forums, stressing that no state has the authority to alter resources in a disputed territory.

Further addressing human rights issues, Gilani referenced the JKCHR’s ongoing documentation of the conditions of Kashmiri prisoners and the plight of women stranded due to conflict. He also expressed disappointment in the AJK government’s failure to implement a plebiscite framework, as previously directed by the AJK High Court. This, he argued, has weakened the legal and moral case for self-determination in international debates.

The revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, followed by communication blackouts and widespread detentions, has significantly escalated tensions in the region. Dr Gilani’s statements reinforce Pakistan’s longstanding position on the Kashmir dispute and highlight the need for a more assertive and structured diplomatic approach to counter unilateral measures and uphold the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.