This is a communication of two UN Special Rapporteurs (on freedom of opinion and human rights defenders) to the Government of India expressing grave concern for the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including violations of the right to life and the continued restrictions to freedom of expression and assembly during May, June and July 2017.
Topics: internet blockade, internet ban, social media shutdown, student demonstrations, suspension of high-speed internet, excessive use of force, violations of right to freedom of opinion, violations of freedom of assembly, misuse of firearms, extrajudicial killing of civilians, violation of right to life, non-response of Indian Government, impunity
Terms: July 2016 internet ban, Burhan Wani killing, April 2017 student demonstrations, 2017 social media shutdown, 2017 suspension of high-speed internet, pellet guns, shotguns, teargas, stun guns
The issue of restrictions on access to internet and suppression of public demonstrations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir was the object of previous communications sent to your Excellency’s Government on 28 July 2016 (case no. IND 5/2016) and on 9 May 2017 (case no. IND 3/2017). AL IND 5/2016 addressed an internet service ban imposed by the authorities in July 2016, in the context of mass demonstrations and civil unrest following the killing of Mr. Burhan Wani. UA IND 3/2017 referred to the use of disproportionate force by security forces against student demonstrations in April 2017, to the large-scale shutdown of social media websites and apps, and to the suspension of the networks providing 3G and 4G services in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Concerning the former, we thank your Excellency’s Government for the reply of 26 September 2016, which provided details on the legal framework of management of assemblies in India, but nonetheless did not provide sufficient information on the motives for adopting restrictions on access to internet. With regard to the latter communication, we regret that to date no response has been received.
August 2017
Originally published
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