NHN Deplores Humanitarian Crisis in the Valleys of J&K and Demand Immediate Lifting of Curfew and Restoration of Normal Life:
01 October 2019, Islamabad.
National Humanitarian Network (being a network of 140 national humanitarian organizations) in its meeting took note of the serious humanitarian situation in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) due to prolonged lock-down for more than 8 weeks, complete information black-out and persistent refusal of Indian Government for any independent inquiry or access to humanitarian organizations to these valleys. We have strong reasons to believe that more than 08 million people are forced to live in extremely hazardous conditions under state-entrenched oppression. These conditions are making people extremely vulnerable to all kinds of diseases, life-threatening conditions, and other multiple health risks. This situation cannot continue too long and must end forthwith to avoid any further deterioration of humanitarian catastrophe facing millions people especially most vulnerable including women, children, persons with disabilities, aged and other health-risk people.
NHN membership is of the view that food, medicines, health aides and life support drugs are in short supply or inaccessible to people hence increasing risks to human lives. Unfortunately, Indian government is not paying attention to such international calls and appeals hence increasing risk for local population. This is indeed deplorable and world community must intervene instead of being silent spectator.
NHN therefore demands:
- IMMEDIATELY – lift curfew and restore normal human lives in J&K providing access to food supplies, health care, humanitarian assistance and other life-saving support;
- DEMAND – that local population must be provided immediate access to health care, nutritional services and other essentials of life;
- MUST – allow humanitarian organizations including International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), United Nations and International Media to visit and work in these valleys and provide all possible assistance to those in need;
- HOLD – an independent inquiry to all human rights violations and crimes against humanity under the supervision of UN agencies and independent human rights bodies;
- URGE – humanitarian organizations and human rights bodies in India and other parts of the region to intervene and provide all possible assistance needed locally and restore normalcy in valleys;
- COMMITS – itself to all possible humanitarian assistance needed in these valleys and continue its efforts raising voice for the vulnerable people of J&K