In March 2024, Indian authorities continued to commit grave human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir (IAK). Indian forces killed at least one person and escalated their ongoing, systematic campaign of mass arbitrary detention in the lead-up to Indian elections. Indian authorities banned several pro-self-determination groups. While free speech and assembly remain criminalized, Indian authorities coerced participation in BJP rallies.

In February 2024, Indian authorities continued to commit grave human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir (IAK). Indian forces continued to systematically arbitrarily detain people, raid homes and expropriate property, including houses and agricultural land. The Indian government extended the ban (instituted in 2019) on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir (JeI) and banned several other pro-rights organizations. The Indian government passed laws to further disempower Muslims in IAK.

This brief summarizes what the British colonial Treaty of Amritsar (1846) is, why it is critical to Kashmiri political and legal history, why it is void or invalid as a matter of law and why understanding what it is, and whether it is valid, remain critically important today.

"They Should Be Beaten and Skinned Alive": The Final Phase of India's War on Kashmiri Civil Society describes Indian authorities’ escalating efforts to silence Kashmiris during the period from October 2020 to October 2022, specifically targeting Kashmiri human rights defenders, including journalists, human rights activists, scholars and other Kashmiris who attempt to hold India to account for its ongoing human rights violations. (NB: Report updated March 20 to resolve broken hyperlinks.)

In January 2024, Indian authorities continued to commit grave human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir (IAK). Indian forces killed at least one individual and continued their ongoing campaigns of mass arbitrary detention and property expropriation. Indian authorities continued to target any form of dissent, including through arresting or criminally pursing at least five people (including at least one minor) for social media posts. Indian authorities continued to escalate forced demographic change in the region, including through the expansion of militarized settlements for the families of dead Indian armed forces personnel.

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