The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations, with the membership of 57 states, covering four continents. The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interest on economic socio and political areas.The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir participated in the Emergency Virtual meeting of the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir held on 22 June 2020. The OIC Secretary General chaired the meeting.

Topics: human rights abuses in Indian and Pakistan administered Kashmir

Terms: fake encounters, cordon and search operations, weaponizing covid-19 pandemic, unlawful occupation of Kashmir

This article by Reporters Without Borders analyses the implications of India’s “New Media Policy” in Indian-Administered Kashmir and calls for the immediate withdrawal of the policy. The policy legalizes the right to harass journalists and media judicially and economically for publishing content the state doesn’t like and legalizes censorship. It allows the Department of Information and Public Relations the de facto right to exercise pre- and post-publication control over all journalism in Indian-Administered Kashmir.

Topics: media censorship, infinite interpretative leeway of the policy, harassment of journalists

Terms: Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), censorship of media, denial of right to free speech, denial of right to free press, government censorship, intimidation of journalists, harrassment of journalists, self-censorship, prior censorship

This is a communication of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and two UN Special Rapporteurs (on freedom of opinion and expression, and human rights defenders) addressed to the Government of India regarding information received concerning the criminalization of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir

Topics: restrictions on freedom speech, violations of free expression, violation of free press, repression of journalists, silencing of independent reports, assaulti, intimidation and silencing of journalists

Terms: Naseer Ganai, Masrat Zahra, Peerzada Ashiq, Gowher Geelani, police intimidation, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Section 505 Indian Penal Code, First Information Report (FIR)

This is a communication of four UN Special Rapporteurs (on torture, extrajudicial or arbitrary executions, minority issues and freedom of religion) to the Government of India concerning human rights conditions in the State of Jammu and Kashmir following 5 August 2019, in particular citing arbitrary detentions, violations to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, right to health and rights of persons belonging to minorities. 

Topics: human rights violations, violations of freedom of speech, violation of freedom of assembly, arbitrary detentions, torture, violations of minority rights, arbitrary detention of minors, custodial torture of minors, lack of Indian Govenrment response, impunity

Terms: torture of Tawseef Ahmad, torture of Mufti Sheeraz Ahmad and Mohammad Ahsan, suicide in custody, torture of Mohammad Ishaq Lone, custodial torture and killing of Rizwan Assad Pandit, arbitrary detention and custodial torture of Fazil Ahmad Malik, cordon and search operations, torture of Arif Wani, torture and death of Riyaz Ahmad Thickrey, custodial killing of Yawar Ahmed Bhat, custodial torture of Bashir Ahmad Dar, custodial torture of Bashir Ahmad Fafoo and Irfan Ahmad Fafoo, arbitrary detention and torture of Abdul Rashid Wani, custodial torture of Umar Farooq Bhat, custodial torture of Umar Farooq Bhat and Musa Farooq Bhat, custodial torture of Suhail Ahmad Sofi, custodial torture of Adnan Shafi Bhat

This is a statement by Amnesty International demanding that the Indian government immediately stops intimidating journalists in Indian-Administered Jammu and Kashmir

Topics: harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian government suppressing dissent in Kashmir
Terms: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), denial of right to free expression, denial of right to free press, harassment of journalists, initimidation of journalists, assaults of journalists, internet restrictions, lockdowns, restrictions on internet speed, arbitrary detentions, denial of assistance to counsel, denial of access to justice, pretextual use of anti-terror laws to suppress dissent, denial of free movement, legalized impunity