APHC Condemns Detention of Kashmiri Political Leaders

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Srinagar, August 16, 2025 — The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has expressed serious concern over what it described as the continued illegal detention of Kashmiri political leaders and activists in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and in prisons across India.

APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas said that numerous political figures, human rights defenders, journalists, religious scholars, and activists remain in custody. He named Masarrat Alam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and Asiya Andrabi, alleging that their detention is linked to political activity rather than confirmed criminal offenses.

Minhas claimed that the detainees face harsh conditions and may be denied access to courts. He described some charges as unverified and stated that families seeking their release have encountered limited progress.

The APHC criticized what it described as a cultural and historical campaign. Minhas claimed that over two dozen books had been banned and that some school, road, and institution names were being changed. He suggested these actions aim to alter historical narratives and cultural memory in Kashmir.

The organization connected these policies to changes after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status on August 5, 2019, which Minhas described as a political effort influencing the region’s demographics and culture.

In his remarks, Minhas stated that Kashmiris were committed to pursuing their political struggle and would continue to do so “until it reaches its logical conclusion.” He urged authorities to release all political prisoners unconditionally, stressing that long-term incarceration without trial undermines both civil liberties and international human rights standards.

The APHC stated that detentions and cultural restrictions may have heightened local resentment. The group emphasized that respecting basic freedoms, acknowledging political rights, and reviewing detentions are essential for easing tensions.