ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS OF DISAPPEARED PERSONS

The discourse of human rights in Jammu & Kashmir enjoys a strange relationship with the political parties especially National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That is to say, the discourse finds favour with both of these parties but only when these are out of power and in opposition.

During 2002 and 2008 assembly elections both the parties used human rights as one of the important election planks. While sitting on the opposition benches, both of them have accused the ruling party of committing human rights violations and not taking steps in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

NC, which has remained in power since 1996 to 2002 and is also presently in the ruling coalition, went to the extent of seeking accountability form the perpetrators. But because of its longevity in power, the maximum cases of disappearances have taken place during the NC rule. The PDP during its 3 year rule also promised to stop the human rights violations under its ‘healing-touch’ slogan. Notwithstanding these promises the state of affairs, in a sense, remains unchanged.

However such positions on the human rights violations were taken to draw political mileage as is the case now, the PDP in opposition is harping on human rights issues. The truth is that the position on human rights violations is completely decided by the equations of power and people don’t seem to matter much.

The competing voices of concern on the violations of rights are to hoodwink the people. Like on December 10 (2003) the NC while in opposition moved an adjournment motion in legislative assembly asking for a thorough debate on human rights violations. On March 30, 2006, a private members resolution supported by the two NC MLAs (Ali Mohammad Sagar and Abdul Raheem Rather) demanding judicial commission into the cases of disappearances which was rejected by then Law Minister from PDP, Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beig. NC on May 2, 2008 during a press conference acknowledging disappearances of 4000 Kashmiris demanded appointment of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). In the same press conference the then NC president, Mr. Omar Abdullah sought probe into the exact number of disappearances including the probe into nameless graves. But while coming back in power, NC retracted its demand of TRC. It remained tightlipped on the report “Buried Evidence” mentioning the presence of 2700 mass and nameless graves which was submitted to the office of CM in December 2009.

During PDP’s three year rule, disappearances continued and enquiries were ordered in many human rights incidents, contradicting figures were given by the ruling party about the missing persons from 60 to 3931. Even the commitment made by then Law Minister of PDP about the empowerment of State Human Rights Commission, instead of appointing a commission on disappearance, was not fulfilled.

Both the political parties are playing politics over the issues that are of complete human concerns. If NC has the legacy of Papa Kashtawari, the PDP has legacy of PAPA II, a notorious torture centre where scores of people disappeared and thousands were tortured.

It’s quite apparent that only the struggle of relatives of thedisapparecidos with the help of the international organization campaigning against disappearances and lobbying with international institutions can persuade the government to address the issue seriously i.e. to know the fate of their beloved ones and identifying and punishing the perpetrators.