Information on the Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Movement (JKHRM) is scarce.

According to an article in Arab Times, on 2 February 1994 a four-member delegation from the Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Movement (JKHRM) made a presentation to a "select audience of Pakistani expatriates" at the Pakistani embassy in Kuwait City (2 Feb. 1994). The delegation, which included Mrs. Ruqiya Shah Bibi, Ms Mah Jabeen, Mrs. Naushaba and Professor Shahid Iqbal, the latter reportedly JKHRM president (Radio Pakistan 10 May 1994), claimed its mission was to highlight the plight of Kashmiri civilians and inform the world about human rights abuses in Kashmir (Arab Times 2 Feb. 1994). Although the JKHRM is ostensibly a non-political, non-partisan NGO focussing on human rights abuses, in her address Mrs. Shah Bibi alleged that more than more than 20,000 Kashmiris had taken refuge in Azad Kashmir after falling victim to "brutal torture by Indian forces" (ibid.). In his address Professor Shahid claimed that JKHRM volunteers, including university students, doctors, engineers and intellectuals, "collect facts and figures on death, rape, searches, torture and looting of property" committed by Indian forces (ibid.). According to Professor Shahid, the authenticity of all information is verified by the JKHRM before being released to media organizations (ibid.). Professor Shahid claimed that data collected by JKHRM had been broadcast on various European television networks and published in the Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Times of London (ibid.). Professor Shahid also claimed that the Church of Pakistan had affiliated to the JKHRM because of the threat Kashmiri Christians faced from Indian forces (ibid.). The JKHRM delegates indicated that fund-raising to rehabilitate Kashmiri refugees was a major purpose for their visit (ibid.).

According to a Radio Pakistan report, on 5 January 1995 the JKHRM demonstrated in Islamabad against human rights abuses reportedly being committed by Indian troops in Kashmir (5 Jan. 1995).

On 8 October 1998 the Times of India reported the JKHRM had made allegations that Pakistani military intelligence, and authorities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, were committing abuses against political parties and workers demanding the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Kashmir. According to the report, JKHRM president Justice (Retd) Mohammed Akram had written to Amnesty International with a detailed list of specific human rights violations committed by Pakistani intelligence agencies and police, as well as a demand that a human rights team be sent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (ibid.). In particular, the JKHRM had reportedly claimed that the Jammu and Kashmir National Awami Party (NAP) and its student wing were being victimized by state agencies for promoting independence from Pakistan and the establishment of a secular state in Kashmir (ibid.). Justice Akram reportedly stated that NAP vice-president Saloom Awan had been tortured by the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), and that there were several "examples of physical elimination of political leaders in [Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]" (ibid.).

One source describes the JKHRM as being a Muzzaffarabad-based organization (Times of India 8 Oct. 1998), while another describes it as a Britain-based group with a newsletter called Kashmir News (Deccan Herald 24 June 1999). The latter source describes Lord Ahmed, a Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir-born Labour member of Britain's House of Lords as a "patron" of the Britain-based JKHRM (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Arab Times [n.p.]. 2 February 1994. Wajid Ali Wajid. "Entire Kashmir Shadowed By Death, Torture: Human Rights Panel." (Moneyclips 2 Feb. 1994/NEXIS)

Deccan Herald [Bangalore]. 25 June 1999. Shyam Bhatia. "Britain Rejects MP's Plea for UN Role in Kashmir." http://www.deccanherald.com [Accessed 14 Oct. 1999]

Radio Pakistan [Islamabad, in English]. 5 January 1995. "Rallies Mark Anniversary of 1949 UN Resolution." (NEXIS)

_____ [Islamabad, in Urdu]. 10 May 1994. "Islamabad Reviews Kashmir Violence Over Last Three Months." (BBC Summary 12 May 1994/NEXIS)

Times of India [Delhi]. 8 October 1999. "Pakistan Committing Atrocities on Kashmiris While 'Negotiating on Their Behalf.'" http://www.jammu-kashmir.com [Accessed 14 Oct. 1999]

Electronic sources: IRB databases; WNC; Internet sites, including:

Pakistan News Service

Pakistan Web Directory

Jamal's Yellow Pages of Pakistan

White Pages of Pakistan

Jammu-Kashmir.com

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Six oral sources contacted.