This is a communication of UN Special Rapporteurs (on extrajudicial executions, freedom of opinion and freedom of peaceful assembly) to the Government of India expressing grave concern regarding the arbitrary killings of 20 civilians by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir.‍

Topics: arbitrary killing of civilians, civil disobedience, excessive use of force, non-response by Indian Government, impunity‍

Terms: killings of Abbas Ahmad Rather, Amir Manzoor Rasray, Javaid Ahmad Mir, Border Security Forces (BSF) killings, police killings, teargas, pellet guns, shotguns, misuse of firearms

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This report of a 5-member group of prominent Indian former government officials and civil society leaders was presented to the Indian Home Minister based on a visit to Srinagar from August 17-19, 2017. The report finds that Kashmiris feel more despondent and disenfranchised, there was all round opposition to revocation of Article 35A of India's constitution, there were widespread fears about forced demographic change in Kashmir, the demand for Azaadi has grown, the economic situation has worsened and that people have no faith in the political system or political leaders.

Topics: disquiet on Article 35A, raids by National Investigation Agency (NIA), counter-insurgency operations and militancy, economic downturn, governance and accountability, prime minister’s I-day gesture
Terms: despondency, violation of economic rights, economic stress, broad denial of political rights, lack of faith in institutions, lack of faith in political leaders, scapegoating, targeting, Indian propaganda, media hatemongering, concern over revocation of Article 35A, fears of forced demographic change, political disenfranchisement, disempowerment, lack of government accountability, National Investigating Agency (NIA) raids, extrajudicial killing

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

This is a communication of three UN Special Rapporteurs (on executions, minority issues and freedom of religion) to the Government of India expressing grave concern for attacks on Muslims and Dalits by “cow protector” vigilante groups, including killings of at least 10 Muslims since 2015.

Topics: minority rights, religious discrimination, targeting, lynching, organized violence, anti-Muslim hate, caste discrimination, attacks on Dalits, attacks on Muslims, assaults, killings

Terms: hate crimes, vigilantism, cow protection, Hindutva, Hindu supremacy, anti-Muslim violence, caste violence

This is a communication of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders to the Government of India expressing grave concern regarding the alleged Look out Circular issued against human rights lawyer Kartik Murukutla in retaliation for his human rights activities, including his engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms, in particular the Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures.

Topics: police harassment, harassment of human rights defenders, harrasment of lawyers, reprisals, violation of freedom of movement
Terms: arbitrary detention, Kartik Murukutla