Republican Pete Olson says in Congress he stands with Prime Minister Modi.
A resolution has been presented in the U.S. House of Representatives against alleged human rights violations in Kashmir region of India by Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.
The resolution alleges atrocities by India in Kashmir and criticizes the Indian government for revoking Article 370 of the Indian Constitution giving special status to Kashmir without any consultation or the consent of the people.
Revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government divided the state into two federally administered union territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
RELATED: Bipartisan Congressional Commission holds hearing on situation in Kashmir (November 15, 2019)
It also imposed certain restrictions on movement of people and a communications blackout. Both have since been eased in phases.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Pete Olson of Texas has come out in support of Modi in relation to Article 370.
Speaking on the floor of the House he said he stands with India and Modi as he works to bring peace to the region, expand democracy and unite the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tlaib’s resolution says that the US authorities should ensure contact between Kashmiri-Americans with their families living in Kashmir.
It also asked Pakistan and India to engage in dialogue to settle tensions.
RELATED: End ‘communications blackout in Kashmir and adhere to human rights standards,’ Pramila Jayapal tells India (October 11, 2019)
Talking about a strict curfew in Kashmir that has restricted freedom of expression, assembly and movement, it says Kashmiri Americans and Kashmiris around the world had difficulty in contacting their family members due to the communications black out. it also affected access to life-saving medical care.
Indian government’s arrest and indefinite detention of thousands of people violated article 9 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, it said.
Tlaib’s resolution urges the Indian government to lift all remaining elements of the communications blockade and restore phone and internet access in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asking New Delhi to refrain from any interference with the provision of medical treatment, it urges India to ensure compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights there.
It demands that India immediately release unjustly and indefinitely detained people and to cease arbitrary and politically motivated detentions.
RELATED:
Indian author Vivek Agnihotri’s talk on Kashmiri Pandits exodus postponed by Rutgers University (November 22, 2019)
Kashmir is ‘a jail at the moment,’ says Kashmiri American filmmaker Danish Renzu
At some stage, there will be elections in Kashmir: Indian Ambassador Shringla