Amnesty International to assess human rights scenario in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 19 (ANI): A two-member team of Amnesty International met Separatist Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here and discussed various aspects to assess the state of human rights in the valley.

The team, comprising Bikram J. Batra and Ramesh Gopal Krishen arrived on Monday on a six-day visit to assess the human rights situation and note instances of human rights violations in the state.

"They should responsibly assess the situation and condemn the violations and take up the issue with Central government. And if the Government does not respond then they should make it public that despite their repeated approach to the government, the latter has remained silent," said Farooq.

"We want that this organisation should bring out the real situation, make it clear and take a stand on the issue then," he added.

The Amnesty members said they would be meeting all sections of the people to obtain first hand information of any violation of human rights.

"The purpose of the visit is to get a better understanding of the human right situation here. We are meeting with all the key activists, political actors, government officials, lawyers and people who have suffered from human right violations," said Batra. (ANI)