The human rights organization based in London, Amnesty International, said that there should be a trial of the Indian army personnel who are currently facing severe charges of grave human rights violations. The Kashmir Media Service said that Amnesty International, while citing the February 4 order of the Indian Supreme Court, stated clearly that the Indian army could by no means use the Armed Forces Special powers Act (AFSPA) to avoid the expected prosecution of the eight Indian army officers who have been charged of the killings of five Kashmiri villagers in Pathribal in March 2000.

The Director of Amnesty International for Asia Pacific, Sam Zarifi, said in a statement posted on the website, that they welcome the statement of the Supreme Court, that there shouldn’t be any need of getting a prior approval for the trial of the Indian army personnel who have been found involved in the grave human rights violations, murder and rape.

Sam Zarifi said that while the remarks made by the court pave the way for the prosecution of the eight Indian army personnel, Amnesty International once again reiterates its longstanding demand for the repulsion of the AFSPA which has been imposed in the valley since 1990. The Director of AI maintained that for a long time the Indian security forces have used the AFSPA as a means of committing grave human rights violations. He said that the judgment of the court should be instrumental in bringing some the worst human rights violations committed by the army and provide some hope of justice for the relatives of the victims and paving the way for the rule of law.

**********************************************

The Views and Opinions Expressed by the author are his or her opinions only and do not necessarily reflect those of this Web-Site or its agents, affiliates, officers, directors, staff, or contractors. The author at the time of this article did not own any shares or receive any consideration financial or otherwise from any company or person mentioned or referred to in the article.