Syed Akbaruddin, India's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), hit out at Pakistan on Thursday accusing it of attempting to misuse the UN platform to cash in on the deaths in the violence-hit Jammu and Kashmir. He was speaking at a high-level debate on Human Rights conducted by Mogens Lykketoft, the president of the General Assembly.
"Regrettably, earlier today we have seen an attempt at misuse of this UN platform. The attempt came from Pakistan; a country that covets the territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self determination," Akbaruddin was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.
He added that the neighbouring country's "track record" could not convince the international community to give it the Human Rights Council membership in this particular session of the United Nations General Assembly. "The international community has long seen through such designs. Cynical attempts, like the one this morning, therefore, find no resonance in this forum or elsewhere in the United Nations," Akbaruddin added.
"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris, who are struggling for their just right of self-determination, by using brutal force and committing human rights violations in Kashmir... Pakistan is raising the issue of Indian forces' brutalities at international fora, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and others... The international community should come forward and honour their promises of resolving the lingering Kashmir 'dispute' in accordance with the United Nations resolutions," Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs was quoted by the New Indian Express as saying.
Akbaruddin's statements come after Pakistan commented on the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, with PM Sharif calling the incident a violation of human rights. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's envoy had on Wednesday called Wani a 'Kashmiri leader' and described the murder as 'extra-judicial'.
Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's Army General, had also condemned Wani's killing, the IE reported.
However, India had made it clear that Pakistan needs to stay out of India's internal matters. Akbaruddin reiterated India's commitment to human rights and said: "As a diverse, pluralistic and tolerant society, India's commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights is enshrined in its founding principles and we remain strongly committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights for all through pursuit of dialogue and cooperation."
