PHR Library
The Crackdown in Kashmir
Torture of Detainees and Assaults on the Medical Community
Since early 1990, the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been the site of a vicious conflict between Indian security forces and Muslim insurgents demanding independence or accession to Pakistan. As the conflict enters its fourth year, Indian troops have increasingly targeted civilians in an effort to crush support for the guerrilla forces. Summary executions, rape, torture and deliberate assaults on health care workers have been part of this campaign, which has largely gone unnoticed by the outside world. In October 1992, Asia Watch and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) sent a delegation to Kashmir to document human rights abuses and violations of the laws of war by Indian security forces. They also investigated incidents of abuse by armed militant groups who have also attacked civilians.
This report is the first of three based on the team's investigations. It focuses on two issues: torture of detainees and interference with the provision of care to the sick and wounded. Health professionals in Kashmir have frequently been detained, assaulted and harassed while attempting to perform their duties. In some of the worst incidents of abuse, the security forces have deliberately prevented ambulance drivers from transporting injured persons to hospitals for emergency care.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapters 2 - 4
Chapters 5 - 8
Appendices
Full Report - 2.6 MB (link below)
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