When the Indian subcontinent was released from British colonial rule in 1947, the region fell into immediate chaos. India (primarily Hindu) and Pakistan (primarily Muslim) were formed as nations. The status of Jammu and Kashmir, located northwest of India and northeast of Pakistan, was not resolved. The United Nations agreement for a plebiscite for the citizens to determine their own government has been continually ignored by India.

Instead, a Line of Control separates the country with Indian and Pakistani forces on each side. Adding to the problem, an east region of the country is under the control of China. Having three nuclear-armed nations in such close proximity is problematic. Having them in dispute over the status of the land between them significantly adds to the tension. The wisdom of King Solomon in offering to split the baby has not applied to this volatile situation.

Up until 2019, India Article 370 of the country’s Constitution allowed semi-autonomous rule of Jammu and Kashmir. While India maintained control of foreign policy and defense matters, legislative and judicial rule matters belonged to Kashmir. Especially under the administration of Indian Prime Minister Modi, aggression has intensified. The citizens in what is now Indian illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are being pounded into submission. Citizens increasingly suffer from killings, assassinations, arrests, tortures, rapes and murders (to include against children and the elderly). Restriction of movement, investigations against Kashmiris, and cover-ups of government abuses are rampant and blatant.

As identified by the International Federation for Human Rights (2019), Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, and Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society have reported to the world that 70,000 Kashmiri citizens have been killed, 8,000 disappeared, and several thousand arrested, detained, and tortured by the occupying Indian government since 1990.

Global response to India’s revocation of Article 370 has been embarrassing at best. Representatives of China claimed serious concern about turbulence; Israel, Australia, and Poland called it an internal matter; Canada expressed concern about escalation; and the United States called it a regional matter. The European Union reported that it was closely monitoring the situation – a statement that means nothing. Russia stated Pakistan and India should deescalate tension: definitely a contradiction to its involvement in Ukraine. France’s President Macron said this was a matter for India and Pakistan, apparently forgetting that western allies came to his country’s aid following Nazi Germany’s hostile takeover. The United Kingdom called for calm, but at least Jeremy Corbyn declared, “Rights of Kashmiri people must be respected and UN resolutions implemented.”

Only non-government organizations declared what needed to be stated: Organization of Islamic Cooperations called the revocation of Article 370 illegal and unilateral; Amnesty International identified increased risk of human rights violations; Human Rights Watch asked India to step back, and Genocide Watch declared that the “ten stages of genocide far advanced.”

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteres stated the obvious in announcing, “Restrictions could exacerbate human rights situation.” It’s time for the United Nations to step up and start pushing the Articles in its own Charter.

In Article 56 of Chapter 9 (International Economic and Social Cooperation) all signatory nations of the United Nations Charter pledge to take joint and separate action to provide higher standards of living, employment, economic, and social progress; work for solutions, international cultural, and education cooperation; and ensure universal respect for human rights and freedoms without distinction to race, sex, language, or religion.

In Article 73 of Chapter 11 (Administration of Territories whose People are yet to Attain Self-governance) all signatory nations of the United Nations Charter pledge respect of culture, just treatment, protection against abuses, development of self-governance, and to assist development of political institutions.

Instead, the United Nations and nations of the world fail to call out Prime Minster Modi’s aggression. The more he does without international accountability, the worse he gets. The old adage is true: Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

For the immediate way-ahead, the following actions need to be pursued. The United Nations conducts current assessments. Not since the Covid outbreak in 2019 has there been a detailed analysis on either side of the Line of Control. United Nations needs to demand that Prime Minister Modi allow inspections and investigation teams into the Indian-Occupied Regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has already agreed to the inspections, providing Prime Minister Modi will do the same.

Furthermore, the United States must stop attempting to gain favor with Prime Minister Modi by ignoring the atrocities being committed against the Kashmiri people. This behavior brings back memories of the days when America favored dictators of communism.

The United States, Canada, Europe, and all governments need to recognize Ukraine and Gaza are not the only two hot spots in the world. The situation in the northern Indian subcontinent is not just a regional issue. There are no guarantees that the nations surrounding Kashmir and Jammu will forever restrain from use of their nuclear weapons. Referring to the Balkans 150 years ago, Bismarck stated that region is so volatile that one spark could ignite a war which would engulf the entire continent. The same warning can now apply to the Indian subcontinent.

In one of the darkest hours of history, President Franklin Roosevelt announced four freedoms that are the birthright of all people throughout the world: of expression, of worship, from want, and from fear. Anchored in the American Constitution and its Bill of Rights, those four freedoms rallied America and the Allies to victory in World War II. For the past eight decades, these four freedoms have been denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

One may ask when does the tyranny stop? Answer is that it doesn’t until the world becomes involved. Leaders of world government and the United Nations itself have eyes, but they pretend not to see. They have ears, but they refuse to hear. They have mouths, but they prefer not to speak. They have responsibilities by virtue of their positions, but they refuse to act.

The same applies to citizens of the world. It’s time to see, hear, speak, and stand up in defense of the oppressed. They can be the voice of the voiceless and bring truth into the search for justice.

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