Srinagar: Advocate Arshad Iqbal, Spokesperson for the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), has expressed grave concern over the prevailing political, human rights, religious, economic and demographic situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the continued restrictions on the fundamental rights, political freedoms, religious liberties and right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people are deeply alarming and pose a serious challenge to lasting peace and stability in South Asia.Advocate Arshad Iqbal said that the measures introduced in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly since 5 August 2019, cannot be viewed merely as isolated administrative decisions. Taken together, measures relating to land, property, political activity, religious institutions, educational centres and political leadership are having profound consequences for the political, social and economic position of the Kashmiri people.The spokesperson expressed particular concern over measures facilitating the ownershi p, allocation or transfer of land to non-state subjects. He said that policies capable of altering the demographic and ownership structure of a disputed territory require the closest international scrutiny. International humanitarian law contains specific protections concerning the civilian population of occupied territories. Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from transferring parts of its own civilian population into territory it occupies, a principle also reflected in customary international humanitarian law.Advocate Arshad Iqbal said that decisions concerning the land and resources of Jammu and Kashmir cannot legitimately disregard the political rights and aspirations of its people.The spokesperson strongly condemned the prolonged incarceration of Kashmiri political leaders and activists, including Shabir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Masarat Alam Bhat, Aasiya Andrabi and others. Referring specifically to Shabir Ahmed Shah, he said that Shah has spent severa l decades in Indian prisons and that his continued detention through successive cases, despite judicial relief in one matter, raises serious questions regarding due process, the rule of law and respect for judicial orders.Advocate Arshad Iqbal called for an independent, transparent and impartial judicial review of all cases involving Kashmiri political prisoners, and demanded the immediate release of those against whom there is no credible and legally sustainable case.The JKDFP spokesperson also expressed deep concern over the latest developments in the case involving Muhammad Yasin Malik.He noted that Malik has maintained his denial of involvement in the Sarla Bhat murder case while deciding not to contest the proceedings further and requesting that the court impose the death penalty upon him.Advocate Arshad Iqbal said that this development should not be treated simply as another legal proceeding. A long-term political prisoner asking a court to impose the ultimate punishment upon him raises profound questions concerning human rights, due process and the circumstances surrounding his detention.He demanded that Yasin Malik be guaranteed full legal representation, independent legal assistance, a fair and transparent trial and all internationally recognised safeguards of due process, and urged that the death penalty must not be imposed.Advocate Arshad Iqbal expressed serious concern over reports of the seizure, attachment and destruction of homes, land and other properties belonging to Kashmiri civilians.He said that targeting the property of civilians on the basis of their political affiliation, political beliefs or alleged association with a case raises serious concerns regarding collective punishment.He called for independent investigations into such cases and demanded that affected civilians be provided effective legal remedies and judicial protection.The spokesperson also condemned restrictions imposed on religious organisations, seminaries, schools and other social and educational institution s. He emphasised that freedom of religion, worship, religious education and access to education are fundamental human rights. Security legislation must not be used as a mechanism to suppress peaceful religious, educational or social activity.He urged the international community to establish effective mechanisms for independently monitoring religious freedom, educational institutions and civil liberties in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. UN human rights mechanisms have previously raised concerns regarding political freedoms, detention and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.Advocate Arshad Iqbal said that reducing Jammu and Kashmir to merely a counter-terrorism or law-and-order issue ignores the historical and political nature of the dispute. He recalled that the United Nations Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including Resolution 47 (1948), which addressed the restoration of peace and order and the question of determining the future of the State of Jammu and Kashmir through a process involving the will of its people.He said that sustainable peace cannot be achieved by disregarding the political aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The JKDFP maintains that a lasting settlement must be pursued in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, international law and the genuine political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.Advocate Arshad Iqbal called upon the United Nations, UN Human Rights Council, European Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), international human rights organisations and democratic governments to move beyond expressions of concern and take concrete action.He demanded:Independent international monitoring of Kashmiri political prisoners and their conditions of detention;An immediate and transparent review of cases involving prolonged political detention;Full and immediate implementation of judicial orders granting legal relief;An end to politically motivated property seizures, attachments and demolitions;An end to unjustified restrictions on religious organisations, seminaries and educational institutions;International monitoring of the demographic impact of land and settlement-related policies;Restoration of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political activity;Meaningful political space for Kashmiri political leadership and civil society; andThe resumption of meaningful India-Pakistan dialogue, with the people of Jammu and Kashmir included as a principal party in the political process.Advocate Arshad Iqbal concluded that lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be established through force, imprisonment, restrictions or the suppression of political voices. He said that genuine peace requires justice, human rights, political and religious freedoms, the rule of law and respect for the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their political future. He urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by taking concrete and effective measures to protect the fundamental h uman and political rights of the Kashmiri people and to work towards a just, peaceful and durable political settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.