Srinagar, Apr 26: International Forum for Justice Human Rights JK Monday expressed concern in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has gripped the entire Country about the plight of Kashmiri political prisoners languishing in different jails.
Demanding their immediate release, Untoo said the threat of the coronavirus epidemic increases the risk to their health and safety for political prisoners, who should never have been imprisoned in the first place.
In a statement, chairman of IFJHRJK , Muhammad Ahsan Untoo said that many prisoners in Tihar jail have tested positive for the virus. “Many Kashmiri political prisoners are critically ill including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Peer Saifullah.Farooq Ahmad DAR (BETA karatte) if they, god forbid, get infected with the virus, it will be very dangerous for them.”
He said that the Kashmiri prisoners are not criminal but political prisoners. While alleged criminals like SP Parihar and others can get parole and roam freely for over 6 years now, why cannot the Political Prisoners be allowed out on parole, he questioned Government.
Untoo said that Malik is on life saving medicine and while Andrabi is also on a number of medications. He said that the authorities should take into consideration their condition and release them immediately.
Untoo Urged the international human rights organizations, ICRC, European Union, UNOHRC, Amnesty international, HRW, impress upon Indian authorities to release the Kashmiri prisoners in the wake of the raging pandemic.
