Srinagar: Amnesty International would launch an online campaign on today to tell Chief Minister to show “zero tolerance” for human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The campaign titled “Omar Abdullah: Pick up your pen to stop police abuse!” begins on Facebook Monday, a statement by AI’s India chapter said.
In support of this campaign, Amnesty International wants the Chief Minister to take a stand of “zero tolerance” for human rights violations in the Valley, and the first step is to address police abuses facilitated under the Public Safety Act or similar legislation, the statement added.
“Supporters of the campaign can visit www.fb.com/pickupyourpen or call 08882480666 to sign our petition. They can also keep track of campaign developments on Twitter by following @AIIndia, and the hashtag: #pickupyourpen,” the statement said.
In 2012, Amnesty International campaigned internationally for amendments to the Public Safety Act to ensure that children under the age of 18 cannot be detained under the PSA. The PSA was amended in April 2012.
“One of the ways to stop police abuse in J&K is to repeal the Public Safety Act, a call that Amnesty International has made many times. Until that happens, the Chief Minister has the power to stop police from repeatedly arresting people under the PSA, and ensure that the government makes public existing information. All he has to do is pick up his pen and sign an executive order,” the statement said.
The campaign titled “Omar Abdullah: Pick up your pen to stop police abuse!” begins on Facebook Monday, a statement by AI’s India chapter said.
In support of this campaign, Amnesty International wants the Chief Minister to take a stand of “zero tolerance” for human rights violations in the Valley, and the first step is to address police abuses facilitated under the Public Safety Act or similar legislation, the statement added.
“Supporters of the campaign can visit www.fb.com/pickupyourpen or call 08882480666 to sign our petition. They can also keep track of campaign developments on Twitter by following @AIIndia, and the hashtag: #pickupyourpen,” the statement said.
“A global petition to support the campaign would remain on Facebook till June 1, 2013. By that time Amnesty International aims to have the Chief Minister issue an administrative order directing detaining authorities to not repeatedly detain individuals under multiple, consecutive PSA detention orders, and ensuring PSA detention records maintained by the J&K Ministry of Home Affairs are made publicly accessible,” it added.Amnesty international’s research has shown that police detain people repeatedly under the Public Safety Act despite courts ordering their release. In addition, families are often left in the dark about the whereabouts of their loved ones who are detained.
In 2012, Amnesty International campaigned internationally for amendments to the Public Safety Act to ensure that children under the age of 18 cannot be detained under the PSA. The PSA was amended in April 2012.
“One of the ways to stop police abuse in J&K is to repeal the Public Safety Act, a call that Amnesty International has made many times. Until that happens, the Chief Minister has the power to stop police from repeatedly arresting people under the PSA, and ensure that the government makes public existing information. All he has to do is pick up his pen and sign an executive order,” the statement said.
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