Islamabad: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has drawn the attention of Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), towards the plight of Kashmiri political and human rights activists languishing in Indian jails for their political beliefs and commitment to human rights.

DFP through a letter written by its acting chairman, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar mentioned arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions and custodial torture as key tools of repression by the Indian regime.

The letter deplored that Indian forces operate with impunity under draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). These laws have created a culture of fear, with civilians subjected to daily harassment in streets, marketplaces, and even their homes, violating their fundamental rights to life, liberty, and privacy in the occupied territory.

Thousands of Kashmiri leaders, journalists, and activists, arrested before and after August 5, 2019, continue to languish in jails under inhumane conditions, the letter added. Kashmiri prisoners, including prominent figures like APHC chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Nayeem Khan, Aasiya Andrabi and Khurram Parvez mostly imprisoned at India's notorious Tihar Jail, are suffering from severe health issues due to prolonged detentions.

'Women activists detained in Tihar jail have reported physical and psychological abuse, further highlighting the systematic mistreatment of Kashmiri detainees,' the letter said and urged international human rights organizations to intervene and hold India accountable for its actions in the occupied territory.