Geneva; 24 September 2020 – Organisation of Kashmir Coalition (OKC) through its partner organisation International Human Rights Association of American Minorities (IHRAAM) continues its participation at the 45 session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) at Palai-des-Nations, Geneva through its representative on the ground.

IHRAAM has maintained its lobbying on the Kashmiris right to self-determination and orally intervening under the various agenda items in the HRC’s on-going session.

In discussion with the “Panel on Right to Development”, IHRAAM’s representative in his intervention stated: “Peoples under colonial domination and foreign occupation are not civil society. Kashmir and other peoples are systematically denied their right to development…The heavy military occupation of Kashmir and Palestine and other cases do have direct military presence. In elaborating an international legally binding instrument on the right to development serious discussion and text for addressing implementation procedures to address such cases must be included.”

 Under item 3 of the agenda IHRAAM stated – “IHRAAM would like to invite the special Rapporteur on hazardous wastes to examine the dumping of 250 tonnes of chemical and nuclear waste into the Siachin Glaciers since 1984 by the Indian military in Indian occupied Kashmir. As confirmed by independent reports this act called “Operation Meghdoot” is creating an enormous effect on climate and environment in Jammu & Kashmir.”

OKC’s engagement at the 45th Session of HRC continues!