Situation in Kashmir violates human rights: US Congresswoman Debbie Dingell

WASHINGTON: The situation in Kashmir violates human rights, a US Congresswoman has said, as she joined as cosponsors to a resolution urging India to end restrictions on communications and mass detentions in the newly-created Union Territory.

The resolution No 745 that was introduced in the House of Representatives last year by Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal now has 36 cosponsors, of whom two are Republicans and 34 from the opposition Democratic Party.

“The situation in Kashmir violates human rights. Thousands have been detained unjustly & millions are without access to the internet & telephones,” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said in a tweet Monday night.

“That’s why I signed onto House Resolution 745 so the US can let the world know we will not stand by while these violations happen,” she said.

Dingell represents 12th Congressional District of Michigan.

The Congressional resolution is currently before the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action.

Congressman Brad Sherman said he looks forward to getting US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster’s report on his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

“I expect the report to indicate what restrictions the Ambassador faced, in particularly, whether or not the Ambassador was able to visit detainees. The visit and report are valuable only to the extent of the access given,” Sherman wrote on Twitter.