Document #1221156
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
No reference to the arrest, detention or beating of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) members by the government authorities in March 1997 due to protests in Islamabad, Kohala and Rara could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
However, a 21 March 1997 article reported that a rally was held in Islamabad protesting India's refusal to allow All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to attend the Organization of Islamic Conference being held in Islamabad (Pakistan TV 21 Mar. 1997). The rally was organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Citizens Forum for Freedom and was attended by leaders and workers from APHC, Muslim League-Azad Kashmir, and People's Party - Azad Kashmir (ibid).
No reference to the arrest, detention or beating of participants by government authorities could be found in the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
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.
Reference
Pakistan TV [Islamabad, in English]. 21
March 1997. "Kashmir Leaders Criticize India for Stopping Them
Attending OIC Meeting." (BBC Summary 24 March 1997/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Jane's Intelligence Review
LEXIS/NEXIS
Resource Centre. Pakistan country
file.
World News Connection
Internet sites, including
Dawn.net
The Hindustan Times
International Relations and Security
Network
Kashmir Monitor
Kashmir News
Kashmir Observer Online
Kashmir Times
Pakistan News Service