Nestled between the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Kashmir has long been admired for its breathtaking beauty and cultural richness. Yet, beneath the serene landscapes lies a painful reality, the Kashmir Valley has been at the heart of one of the world’s most enduring and devastating conflicts. For decades, the people of Kashmir have lived under a military occupation that has resulted in widespread human rights violations, with their voices for justice and freedom largely ignored. The struggle for Kashmiri self-determination has become synonymous with suffering, repression, and a call for international attention to the injustices they endure.
The human rights violations in Kashmir are not a recent phenomenon; they have persisted for decades, exacerbated by political and military actions. India’s heavy military presence, the lack of accountability for abuses, and the suppression of dissent have created a culture of impunity in the region. Kashmiri civilians have faced systematic and widespread violations of their basic rights, from the right to life to freedom of expression. The cries for justice grow louder with each passing day, and the call for international intervention becomes more urgent.
Since India annexed Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, the region has been under heavy militarization. Today, over 700,000 Indian military personnel are stationed in Kashmir, making it one of the most militarized regions in the world. The Indian military operates under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a law that grants sweeping powers to the Indian army. This law allows the military to arrest and detain individuals without warrants, conduct searches without consent, and use deadly force with impunity. As a result, Kashmiris have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances.
The AFSPA has turned the region into a zone of lawlessness, where human rights abuses go unpunished. The Indian government’s failure to hold the military accountable for these actions only deepens the sense of injustice. The people of Kashmir have been left to face the violence alone, with no recourse for justice. The absence of accountability and the continuation of these practices breed a cycle of violence that seems impossible to escape.
The indiscriminate killing of civilians is one of the most visible human rights violations in Kashmir, with Indian forces targeting youth, political activists, and protesters. In November 2021, human rights activist Khurram Parvez was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for documenting abuses, an act widely condemned as an attempt to silence dissent. Torture, including beatings, electrocution, and sexual violence, is rampant, especially against women, and used as a weapon of war to break resistance and destroy the fabric of Kashmiri society.
The trauma inflicted by these abuses leaves deep psychological scars on those who survive. Entire families, particularly women, bear the brunt of the physical and emotional toll. Mothers lose their sons, daughters are forced into silence, and fathers are left to watch as their families are torn apart. The wounds of Kashmir are not just physical but emotional and generational.
The people of Kashmir have long fought for the right to self-determination, but their voices have been systematically silenced by political repression. Kashmiris advocating for autonomy, independence, or union with Pakistan have been labeled as militants or terrorists by the Indian government. This has led to the arrest of thousands of political leaders, activists, and youth, who are often detained without charge or trial. Leaders from parties like the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been arrested, their voices stifled.
In August 2019, after the revocation of Article 370, which granted Kashmir special autonomy, India imposed an indefinite lockdown in the region, cutting off communication with the outside world. The internet was shut down, political leaders were detained, and people were forced to live in isolation, unsure of the fate of their loved ones. The state’s effort to crush dissent in Kashmir has not only silenced the voices of its people but has also created an atmosphere of fear. The daily reality for many Kashmiris is one of constant surveillance and the knowledge that speaking out could lead to imprisonment or worse.
The ongoing violence and repression in Kashmir have had a profound psychological impact on the population. Generations of Kashmiris have grown up in a world of uncertainty, where violence and fear are constant companions. For the youth, the future seems bleak. Education, employment, and a sense of hope for a better life remain distant dreams, as many are caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
Kashmiri women bear the brunt of the violence, suffering physical trauma and emotional scars from losing loved ones and enduring sexual violence, particularly by soldiers. Despite this, they remain resilient, fighting for justice in a region where it remains elusive. While Pakistan and human rights organizations have condemned the abuses, the international community has largely remained silent, with geopolitical interests and India’s global influence preventing meaningful action on the crisis.
The United Nations has recognized Kashmir as a disputed territory but has done little to hold India accountable for its actions. The people of Kashmir continue to endure decades of suffering with minimal international support, while the global silence allows violence to persist. For justice and peace to prevail, the international community must hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable and engage in genuine dialogue. Until then, the struggle for self-determination and dignity will continue, with Kashmiris’ calls for justice growing louder.
