Updated : Feb 27, 2025 India on Wednesday strongly rebuked Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting in Geneva, dismissing its allegations of suppressing democracy and violating human rights in Jammu and Kashmir as "baseless and malicious". The Indian envoy hit out at the neighbouring country, saying that Pakistan itself is plagued by human rights abuses and is in no position to lecture others and its "rhetoric reeks of hypocrisy". "India is exercising its right of reply in response to the baseless and malicious references made by Pakistan. It is regrettable to see Pakistan's so-called leaders and delegates continuing to dutifully spread falsehoods handed down by its military terrorist complex," diplomat Kshitij Tyagi said.
Addressing the forum earlier, Pakistan's Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar claimed that there was a "continued denial of the right to self-determination of people" in Kashmir, in "violation of UN charters and resolutions and international law". He also claimed that human rights violations are happening in the region, which must be stopped. India countered the charges, citing the progress and development in the region, while also reiterating its sovereignty over Kashmir.
"The union territories of J&K and Ladakh will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. The unprecedented political, social and economic progress in J&K in the past few years speaks for itself. These successes are a testament to the people's trust in the government's commitment to bring normalcy to a region scarred by decades of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism," Tyagi added. The diplomat stressed that instead of its "unhealthy obsession" with India, Pakistan should focus on providing actual governance and justice to its own people.
"As a country where human rights abuses, persecution of minorities and systematic erosion of democratic values constitute state policies and which brazenly harbours UN-sanctioned terrorists, Pakistan is in no position to lecture anyone," he asserted. "Its rhetoric reeks of hypocrisy, its actions of inhumanity and its governance of incompetence. India remains focused on democracy, progress and ensuring dignity for its people. Values that Pakistan would do well to learn from," Tyagi told the UN body. Addressing the council, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has always played an active role in the global promotion and protection of human rights while remaining firm and uncompromising in combating terrorism.
Kshitij Tyagi, Indian Diplomat
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