Justice For All Condemns India’s Raid & Vandalism of Shabir Shah’s House Ahead of G20 Summit

Justice For All strongly condemns the brutal raid and egregious vandalism conducted by Indian army troops at the residence of Kashmiri politician and Prisoner of Conscience, Shabir Shah. This disturbing incident, which transpired on May 17th, 2023, shortly before the G20 working group meeting in Srinagar, flagrantly violates several fundamental principles enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law.

The raid, as described in a series of tweets by Shah’s daughter Sehar Shabir Shah, involved regular Indian army troops and special black CAT Commandos scaling walls and forcibly entering the house through the kitchen garden. Sehar’s mother was escorted to the top floor by some of the troops, while the others proceeded to search the ground floor and other rooms. Shockingly, the troops vandalized the drawing room’s furnishings and callously scattered objects throughout the house.

These actions raise serious concerns regarding the violation of human rights and humanitarian norms. The raid on Shabir Shah’s residence, particularly in the presence of his family members, infringes upon the right to privacy, safety, and security guaranteed under Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, the wanton destruction of property constitutes a violation of the right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions as outlined in Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Furthermore, the prolonged arbitrary detention of Shabir Shah since 2017, along with the continued harassment faced by his family at the hands of Indian government authorities, represents a disregard for their fundamental rights and freedoms. These actions contravene the principles enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right to liberty and security of person (Article 9) and the right to a fair trial (Article 14).

Justice For All urgently calls upon the United Nations to launch a comprehensive and impartial investigation into this incident, ensuring that those responsible for the raid and vandalism are held accountable. It is imperative that immediate steps are taken to halt any further harassment or violation of the rights of Shabir Shah and his family. We strongly urge the Indian government to uphold its obligations under international law, including respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law. All individuals, including political figures and their families, must be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.