Stop Persecuting the Muslim Communities in Jammu & Kashmir:
Recognize their Freedom of Religion and Rights to Live,
Restore Article 370 of Indian Constitution.
We, the undersigned organizations wish to affirm the fundamental rights of every human being to the right to life and the freedom of religion and belief. This affirmation is recognized in the Article 21 Indian Constitution and covenants of the international community. Specifically, we affirm Article 6.3 of the Asian Human Rights Charter which states that “the freedom of religion and conscience is particularly important in Asia where most people are deeply religious; many find their primary identity in religion” and Article 370 of Indian Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. These articles together with other express provisions in other International Conventions of Human Rights are the necessary rights and conditions that serve to protect every human life and interest and make this world a better place to live in.
On this day 6 September 2019, as the world have seen the heavy persecution committed by the Indian authorities and it keeps recurring under the name of the religion, we wish to highlight the critical situation of human rights abuses of the Muslims and many other minority groups across the Jammu & Kashmir region. We note that the human rights violations of the Muslims have increased significantly resulting in the rapid deterioration of their welfare and wellbeing.
There are also restrictive legislation, suppression of the highest order and repressive policies in placed which the Muslims in India routinely find themselves subjected to. Following the abrogation of Article 370, Muslims in Jammu & Kashmir tremendously suffer the same kind of human rights violation. The abrogation of Article 370 is clearly contrary to United Nations Security Council Resolutions #122 (January 24th 1957), #123 (February 21st 1957) and #126 December 2nd 1957 which prohibit any unilateral action to change the status of Kashmir.
On 9th of August 2019, the United Nations Secretary General had expressed the concern over the reports of restrictions on the Indian-side of Kashmir which the development could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region. These are grave human rights violations on the right to life and freedom of religion and belief.
For these reasons, we, the undersigned organizations strongly urge and demand the Indian government to do as follows:
1. Respect the human rights of the Muslim people, in particular their right to life and freedom of religion and belief. This is especially so when human rights such as the right to life and freedom of religion and belief is not something that can be bestowed or taken away by a government but intrinsic in every person as part of human dignity and worth.
2. As the world and international community continues to witness and hear reports of gross abuses and the rapidly deteriorating situation of the Muslims, the Indian government must desist and immediately stop the persecution and extreme repression of the Muslim people.
3. The Indian government must immediately restore Article 370 of Indian Constitution, respecting the autonomous status of Jammu & Kashmir as significant condition agreed by the Kashmir people and Indian government to the accession of Jammu & Kashmir territory into India.
4. The government of India should respect and protect the rights and religious freedoms of ALL its citizens, and the Muslim of India deserve the same rights and protection given to other communities as well.
5. The Indian government to respect the voices of the Kashmiri people and to openly engage with the Kashmiri community and its leaders in a transparent and accountable manner.
We, the undersigned organizations also call on the international community to do the following:
1. To increase the voices of protest and disfavor upon the Indian government for acts and omissions that do not respect and uphold the human rights of all people, including the Muslim people and other religious minorities or communities who are prevented from having the freedom of religion and belief and the rights to a meaningful life.
2. To work together to improve the situation for the Muslim people through concrete actions that wholly accounts for the history, traditions, language, religion and the culture of the Muslim people.
In furtherance of this purpose, we the undersigned organization acknowledge and affirm this Memorandum of Protest.
6th of SEPTEMBER 2019 / 6 MUHARRAM 1441
Signed and Acknowledged by
1. Muslim Youth Movement Malaysia (ABIM)
2. Global Peace Mission Malaysia (GPM)
3. Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM)
4. Majlis Perundingan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM)
5. Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (WADAH)
6. Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (IKRAM)
7. Global Peace Mission Malaysia (GPM)
8. Pertubuhan Himpunan Lepasan Institusi Pendidikan Malaysia (HALUAN)
9. Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Rantau Asia (SYURA)
10. Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM)
11. Pertubuhan Iqra’ Malaysia
12. Malaysian Youth Council (MBM)
13. Persatuan Al-Hunafa
14. Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS)
15. Islamic Propagation Society International (IPSI)
16. Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM)
17. Pertubuhan Hijrah Republique Network (HR)
18. Persatuan Darul Fitrah
19. Malaysian Humanitarian Aid & Relief (MAHAR)
20. Research & Information Centre On Islam (Ricoi)
21. Pesekutuan Seruan Islam Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (Jam’iyah)
22. Pertubuhan SALWA Malaysia
23. Penggerak Malaysia
24. Pertubuhan Muafakat Sejahtera Malaysia
25. Young Professional
26. Pusat Kecemerlangan Pendidikan Ummah (PACU)
27. Persatuan Peguam Syarie Malaysia
28. Pergerakan Belia India Muslim Malaysia (GEPIMA)
29. Al-Hidayah
30. Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA)
31. Sejagat
32. Movement For Monetary Justice Malaysia
33. Grup Sukarelawan Darul Ehsan
34. Darussyifa
35. IMAN
