London: The World Kashmir Freedom Movement (WKFM) has made an urgent appeal to the United Nations, the UK government and the European Union Council, seeking intervention for Kashmiri female political prisoners allegedly illegally detained by the Indian government.
In a letter addressed to international bodies, WKFM President Dr Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur highlighted the continued detention of senior leaders of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, including Asiya Andrabi, Fehmida Sofi and Nahida Nasreen, who have been under arrest since 2018. He stated that they were convicted under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a law he described as “draconian” for allowing prolonged detention with limited access to bail.
The letter expressed concern over the deteriorating health of the detained women, alleging that the Indian state is using anti-terror legislation to suppress political dissent related to Kashmir. It also cited criticism by multiple human rights organisations, which have argued that the UAPA enables extended detention without conviction and is frequently applied in politically sensitive cases.
Kashmir and the Criminalization of Dissent
Dr Thakur criticised the international community for what he termed selective concern, stating that while global institutions advocate for women in conflict zones worldwide, they have ignored the plight of Kashmiri female political prisoners.
The WKFM reiterated that Kashmir remains a disputed territory and described it as the longest unresolved issue on the United Nations agenda. The letter accused India of acting in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, international law, human rights law and the Geneva Conventions.
The appeal concluded by urging the UN, UK and EU to take concrete action, warning that continued silence amounts to complicity in alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir.
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