Kashmir Marks International Day of Enforced Disappearances Amid Ongoing Human Rights Concerns

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is being observed globally today, with a spotlight on the troubling situation in Indian-administered Kashmir. Over the past 34 years, more than 10,000 individuals have reportedly been subjected to enforced disappearances in the region, sparking deep concerns among human rights organizations.

In recent years, the discovery of thousands of unmarked graves in Kashmir has intensified these concerns, with many fearing that these graves may hold the remains of those who were forcibly disappeared. The Kashmir Media Service reports that the situation has only worsened since India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 6, 2019.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message for the day, stressed the importance of adhering to international human rights laws. He highlighted the right of families to know the fate of their loved ones, a right that remains unfulfilled for many in Kashmir.