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Leave Kashmir dispute out of the UN, Australia urges
Andrew TillettPolitical Correspondent
Sep 10, 2019 — 6.06pm
Canberra | Australia will resist Pakistan's attempts to convince the United Nations Human Rights Council to pass a resolution or even allow debate criticising India's decision to revoke Kashmir's special status.
Australia's decision is a boost to India and comes at a time when the Morrison government is seeking to deepen economic and security ties with Delhi amid growing regional concern over China.
An Indian police officer charges at Kashmiri Shiite Muslims as they attempt to take out a religious procession. Mukhtar Khan/AP
Indian diplomats have been trying to persuade a number of countries on the council, including Australia, that Delhi's actions over the disputed territory was an internal matter.
While Kashmir has long been a flashpoint in tensions between India and Pakistan, Narendra Modi's government in August ended the autonomy in the Indian-administered part of the border state had enjoyed and announced it would be put under the central government's rule.
To enforce the change, India put Kashmir into security lockdown, with peoples' movement heavily controlled. It also detained some political figures, while newspapers, internet and telephone access was suspended, although restrictions are being eased.
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Pakistan immediately denounced India's actions and has been trying to rally international opinion to its side, promising to raise the matter at the latest session of the UN Human Rights Council, which got underway in Geneva on Monday.
But India's diplomats have pushed nations to block Pakistan's attempts to put it on the council's agenda. Australia, Pakistan and India are among the council's 47 members.
While Australia has been lobbied over the issue, including by India's outgoing High Commissioner to Australia Ajay Gondane, the Morrison government independently decided it was best for India and Pakistan to sort out the issue by themselves.
"Australia’s long-standing position is that the resolution of the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to resolve through peaceful dialogue," the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.
"The Human Rights Council is not a forum for discussing bilateral political differences. Australia always urges respect for human rights, civil liberties and basic freedoms."
Even though news reports suggest India's lobbying has paid off, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet used her opening address to slam Delhi for curtailing human rights.
"I have appealed particularly to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews; to ensure people’s access to basic services; and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained," she said
Andrew TillettPolitical Correspondent
Sep 10, 2019 — 6.06pm
Canberra | Australia will resist Pakistan's attempts to convince the United Nations Human Rights Council to pass a resolution or even allow debate criticising India's decision to revoke Kashmir's special status.
Australia's decision is a boost to India and comes at a time when the Morrison government is seeking to deepen economic and security ties with Delhi amid growing regional concern over China.
An Indian police officer charges at Kashmiri Shiite Muslims as they attempt to take out a religious procession. Mukhtar Khan/AP
Indian diplomats have been trying to persuade a number of countries on the council, including Australia, that Delhi's actions over the disputed territory was an internal matter.
While Kashmir has long been a flashpoint in tensions between India and Pakistan, Narendra Modi's government in August ended the autonomy in the Indian-administered part of the border state had enjoyed and announced it would be put under the central government's rule.
To enforce the change, India put Kashmir into security lockdown, with peoples' movement heavily controlled. It also detained some political figures, while newspapers, internet and telephone access was suspended, although restrictions are being eased.
Advertisement
Pakistan immediately denounced India's actions and has been trying to rally international opinion to its side, promising to raise the matter at the latest session of the UN Human Rights Council, which got underway in Geneva on Monday.
But India's diplomats have pushed nations to block Pakistan's attempts to put it on the council's agenda. Australia, Pakistan and India are among the council's 47 members.
While Australia has been lobbied over the issue, including by India's outgoing High Commissioner to Australia Ajay Gondane, the Morrison government independently decided it was best for India and Pakistan to sort out the issue by themselves.
"Australia’s long-standing position is that the resolution of the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to resolve through peaceful dialogue," the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.
"The Human Rights Council is not a forum for discussing bilateral political differences. Australia always urges respect for human rights, civil liberties and basic freedoms."
Even though news reports suggest India's lobbying has paid off, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet used her opening address to slam Delhi for curtailing human rights.
"I have appealed particularly to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews; to ensure people’s access to basic services; and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained," she said
