The following is a response we received from Senator Jack Reed to a letter we sent to members of our congressional delegation concerning our India case.
April 4, 2001
Thank you for contacting me regarding the arrest and incarceration of Noor Mohammed Karwal, I appreciate learning of your concerns, and I apologize for the delay in responding.
As you are aware, the conflict in Kashmir is rooted in competing claims by Pakistan and India to the sovereignty of the territory. In 1948, the territory was divided by a military line of control into the Indian state of Kashmir and Jammu, and Pakistan-controlled Azad Kashmir. A series of kidnappings and general strikes in the Kashmir Valley, beginning in 1989, led India to impose rule by the central government in the region and send in troops to keep order. Since then, Kashmir has seen a proliferation of militant groups seeking autonomy or union with Pakistan, and the Indian government has employed a wide range of security legislation which disrupts the normal arrest, trial and sentencing procedures of the criminal justice system.
A reported 5,000 Kashmiris are currently in jail under these antiterrorist laws, and India has generally denied international human rights groups, including Amnesty International, official access to Kashmir and other sensitive areas. However, in 1995 India allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross to begin prison visits with an estimated 1,000 detainees in 20 prisons throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
The United States has repeatedly called for reconciliation of the conflict through diplomatic measures, namely, respecting the line of control, rejecting violence, and returning to the Lahore peace process. Althou@ there were positive attempts at conflict resolution from all sides in 2000. a ceasefire initiated by a Kashmiri-based militant group fell apart in August when India and Pakistan accused each other of undermining negotiations.
I share your concerns for the rights of those prisoners incarcerated under India's emergency security measures. On your behalf, I contacted the State Department to inquire about the status of Mr, Karwal's imprisonment. Please be assured that I will share the State Department's response with you.
Resolving the situation in Kashmii, peacefully is critical to the future stability of the entire South Asian region. The United States recognizes the Complex history of the present territory dispute and is continuing to work to promote and build a lasting peace for the people of Kashmir. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as Congress considers legislation affecting the Kashmir region
And, thank you for contacting me, and please. do not hesitate to call or write to me in the future regarding this matter or any other.
Sincerely,
Jack Reed United States Senator