India has been very critical of the so-called hypocrisy of Pakistan when it preachs to other nations about violations of human rights. In his speech at the 34th Session of the 60th Meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Wednesday, Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain pointed to the fact that Pakistan does not focus on human rights in its own country.
It is ironical to India that a nation, such as Pakistan, wants to preach to others about human rights. Hussain said that instead of spreading propaganda, Pakistan must address the persecution of minorities on their own territory. His statement was made in the backdrop of an ever-increasing international attention to Pakistan in the wake of civilian killings in the nation.
This UNHRC statement came after a horrific event in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where at least 24 civilians including women and children were killed, and some more injured. The casualties came about as a result of an explosion at a compound that was said to be associated with the Pakistani Taliban. Although the government said that the explosion was caused by explosives stored in the area going off, locals and the provincial wing of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf accused air attacks or jet bombings in the Matur Dara section of Tirah Valley. The event is said to have destroyed five houses causing the death of at least 10 civilians and 14 militants.
The tragedy provoked local communities, and people accused the government authorities of not protecting civilians and a greater responsibility of the elected representatives. Protestors called out to get something done to deal with security gaps and to guarantee the safety of inhabitants of war-torn regions.
The action of the India at the UNHRC highlighted that no country could seek to project itself as human rights leaders when other vulnerable populations are not safeguarded within their own borders. By focusing on the domestic failures of human rights in Pakistan, India wanted to respond against what it referred to as propaganda in an attempt to undermine other states.
The discussion at UNHRC highlights increased tensions between India and Pakistan in international human rights meetings.
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News