US Senator Bernie Sanders, on Saturday, raised concern over the escalating human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and condemned New Delhi’s actions, stressing that the Modi administration’s decision to forcefully annex the disputed Himalayan territory is “unacceptable”.
The senator, who is also a US Democratic Presidential candidate and a staunch critic of the US President Donald Trump, stressed that the US government must take the responsibility of ensuring that international laws are effectively implemented. Bernie Sanders also stressed that the US government must seek a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute through the United Nations.
India’s Crackdown is Unacceptable
Addressing a seminar at the Islamic Society of North America, in Houston, Texas, Bernie Sanders said that India’s crackdown on the occupied valley “in the name of security” is unacceptable. He strongly condemned the measures that have deprived the Kashmiri people “access to medical care.”
Senator Bernie Sanders said, “I am also deeply concerned about the situation in Kashmir, where the Indian government has revoked Kashmiri autonomy, crackdown on dissent, and instituted a communications blackout.”
"India’s action [in Kashmir] is unacceptable and the communications blockade must be lifted immediately, and the US government must be speak out boldly in support of international humanitarian live and in support of a UN backed peaceful resolution" @BernieSanders #isnacon pic.twitter.com/PrvgYzfqPs
— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) August 31, 2019
He continued, “The crackdown in the name of security is also denying the Kashmiri people access to medical care. Even many respected doctors in India have acknowledged that the Indian government-imposed restrictions on travel are threatening the lifesaving care that patients need.”
Bernie Sanders issued a stern warning to New Delhi, “India’s action is unacceptable. The communications blockade must be lifted immediately.”
The occupied valley of Kashmir has entered the 29th day of curfew, and the marketplaces and schools across the valley remain shut, while the communications blackout and internet disbandment continue.
Urging the Donald Trump administration to take action and intervene, Bernie Sanders said, “The United States government must speak out boldly in support of international humanitarian law, and in support of the UN-backed peaceful resolution that respects the will of the Kashmiri people.”
Senator Bernie Sanders lashed out at the Donald Trump administration for discriminating against Muslims and held him responsible for initiating a campaign of domestic terrorism.
We must speak out at hate crimes and violence targeted at the Muslim community and call it what it is—domestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/bUgHTPuysr
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 1, 2019
Sanders said, “When we have a president and an administration who believe and I quote, ‘Islam hates us’, we must speak out. And hate crimes and violence targeted at the Muslim community, and call it what it is: domestic terrorism.”
Bernie Sanders also highlighted how non-Muslims across America stood in solidarity with Muslims and condemned Trump’s widely criticized Muslim ban.
After his address at the ISNA event, Senator Bernie Sanders was presented with a Sindhi Ajrak and cap by a Pakistan-American man, which he humbly accepted.”
Sindhi topi and ajrak presented to US Senator Bernie Sanders in Houston, Texas pic.twitter.com/h0O7eKSrqz
— Samirah (@SameeraKhan) September 1, 2019
World Leaders Stand with Kashmir
Earlier last month, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also raised her voice for the oppressed people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, demanding New Delhi to immediately end the communications blackout, and put an end to human rights violations and lack of religious freedom.
Taking to Twitter, Ilhan Omar called out for immediate de-escalation in the disputed Himalayan region and urged international organizations to examine ground realities and disseminate the information across the world.
Read more: ‘Modi’s India is not the one I fell in love with’, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar wrote, “We should be calling for an immediate restoration of communication; respect for human rights, democratic norms, and religious freedom; and de-escalation in Kashmir.”
Omar added, “International organizations should be allowed to fully document what is happening on the ground.”
We should be calling for an immediate restoration of communication; respect for human rights, democratic norms, and religious freedom; and de-escalation in Kashmir.
International organizations should be allowed to fully document what is happening on the ground.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 26, 2019
Earlier in August, Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the UK’s Labour Party, had called out India to put an end to its human rights abuses in Indian occupied Kashmir
Corbyn had tweeted, “The situation in Kashmir is deeply disturbing. Human rights abuses taking place are unacceptable. The rights of the Kashmiri people must be respected and UN resolutions implemented.”
The situation in Kashmir is deeply disturbing. Human rights abuses taking place are unacceptable. The rights of the Kashmiri people must be respected and UN resolutions implemented.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 11, 2019
Opinion makers and analysts across the globe are appreciating US Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and other leaders for raising their voice for Kashmir.
Bernie Sanders at ISNA conference just said "India's action [in Kashmir] is unacceptable," criticizing its crackdown in Kashmir, revoking its semi autonomous status and the humanitarian crisis that has ensued. Glad a Democratic candidate is discussing this openly.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) August 31, 2019
Thank you so much @BernieSanders I wrote to your campaign staff so often about this!!! I thought if anybody must raise his voice it is you! You have had my full support and now I will also contribute again with even more conviction! Thank you on behalf of millions of Kashmiris!
— carin jodha fischer (@carin__fischer) August 31, 2019
Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of the Human Rights Watch, revealed that the “Indian government’s crackdown in Kashmir, and the world’s weak response, were at the top of this week’s trending human rights tweets.”
The Indian government's crackdown in Kashmir, and the world's weak response, were at the top of this week's trending human rights tweets: https://t.co/EkDJGrQS9u
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) September 2, 2019
Commenting on the communications blackout and oppressive tactics on Sunday, Kenneth Roth tweeted, “Beyond the difficulty of reporting amid limited access to the internet and phones, journalists in Kashmir “complain of harassment by authorities, with many accusing security forces of deleting their camera footage and pressure to report ‘normalcy.'”
Beyond the difficulty of reporting amid limited access to the internet and phones, journalists in Kashmir "complain of harassment by authorities, with many accusing security forces of deleting their camera footage and a pressure to report 'normalcy.'" https://t.co/9TGMUuwbGP pic.twitter.com/ACXSSIIU7E
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) September 1, 2019
The occupied valley of Kashmir has entered the 29th day of curfew, and the marketplaces and schools across the valley remain shut, while the communications blackout and internet disbandment continue.
Day 29: Kashmir continues to witness clashes, curfew and protests Scores injured… https://t.co/mSc8RcsCsr pic.twitter.com/CscMNA8ItP
— Kashmir Despatch (@KashmirDespatch) August 6, 2016
Local newspapers are not allowed to distribute their printed editions, and international media reports indicate that more than 10,000 Kashmiri civilians and senior Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Syed Ali Gillani, remain under house arrest or in jails.