Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Representative Steve Watkins (R-KS) Introduce A Congressional Resolution (H. Res. 745) Urging the Indian Government to Immediately End Human Rights Abuses in Kashmir

Stand With Kashmir (SWK) applauds Representative Pramila Jayapal and Representative Steve Watkins (R-KS) for working alongside constituents including Kashmiri Americans in their districts and across the nation in introducing and co-sponsoring House Resolution (H.R. 745), the “Urging the Republic of India to end the restrictions on communications and mass detentions in Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible and preserve religious freedom for all residents” bill.

The bill seeks to protect human rights, demand accountability and ensure that Kashmiris play a central role in determining the future of Jammu and Kashmir (“Kashmir”) by urging the Indian government to immediately end the communications blockade, preserve religious freedom for all in Kashmir, and release all detainees held without due process.

The resolution specifically urges the Government of India to:

​

(A) lift the remaining restrictions on communication and to restore internet access across all of Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible;

(B) refrain from the use of threats and excessive force against detained people and peaceful protesters;

C) swiftly release arbitrarily detained people in Jammu and Kashmir;

(D) refrain from conditioning the release of detained people on their willingness to sign bonds prohibiting any political activities and speeches;

(E) allow international human rights observers and journalists to access Jammu and Kashmir and operate freely throughout India, without threats;

(F) condemn, at the highest levels, all religiously motivated violence, including that violence which targets religious minorities;

(G) reject arbitrary detention, use of excessive force against civilians, and suppression of peaceful expression of dissent as proportional responses to security challenges;

​

SWK urges all members of Congress and people of conscience in the United States to support this resolution so that the suffering and voices of the Kashmiri people are heard in ending the ongoing human rights abuses in Kashmir.

​

Stand with Kashmir is a Kashmiri diaspora-led international solidarity movement that seeks to end the Indian occupation and support the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.

​

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND/OR INTERVIEWS:

Contact: ​