Human Rights Day and Kashmir

Time to Ponder

SRINAGAR: Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. In parts like kashmir, which is one of the deadliest conflict zone on the planet earth this day assumes special significance. On account of state atrocities of past two decades used to quell the pro-liberation movement of the kashmir; this day has got special significance in Kashmir.

Pertinently, the date 10th December as world human rights day was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw

According to expert voices, the people of Kashmir valley are wounded physically, socially, culturally and psychologically due to the long turmoil. The afflictions are deeply engraved in the hearts and minds of the people. Kashmiris (living on both the sides of tunnel) are left with only questions but no concrete answers. The human rights day reminds the people of Kashmir of the enormous atrocities in the shape of custodial killings, rapes, tortures etc mostly by the organs of state to quell the pro-freedom sentiment.

But, what was more painful about the celebrations of world human rights day this year was the complete lack of unity among the Pro-freedom factions. Hurriyat (M) celebrated it in own way, Hurriyat (G) in its own way; the Bar Association in its own way. At least, these days provided the pro-freedom camp opportunity to address cross section of society collectively rather than addressing their pick and choose audience and intellectuals. But, once again the pro-freedom camp has missed the vital opportunity to unite the nation.