Donald Lu- U.S Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, has expressed concerns about the human rights abuses in India.
Donald along with several issues also expressed his concern about the delayed elections in Jammu Kashmir, human rights abuses, and also on growing reports of discrimination against minorities, freedom of speech, and on NGOs in India, media reported.
“The troubling work” of the Assembly elections remains in Jammu Kashmir. This has not been held even after the promises being made,” he said.
“We believe that all Kashmiris deserve the right to live in dignity, We look forward to encouraging India to fulfill its commitments,” Mr. Lu said in his opening remarks before the Senate Committee.
The senior diplomat, who has served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi between 2010 and 2013, said that he had traveled to Kashmir eight times, including during the Kargil War, and added, “India continues to report infiltration by militants in Jammu and Kashmir but it has “reduced markedly” over the past two years.”
The new Assistant Secretary of South Asia after flagging the issue of the indefinite delay in the state election in Jammu and Kashmir also reported about the ongoing human rights abuse in J&K.
Mr. Lu also raised concern about the detention of journalists in Jammu Kashmir and said, “We have not seen the free movement of journalists. We’ve seen the detention of some prominent journalists in the Kashmir valley,” he added.
As partners of India, it is imperative on us to speak up when we witness troubling events there,” he said.