Thread by @DevirupaM

US asst secy of state Alice Wells at @HouseForeign hearing:
- share the concerns with lawmakers and constituents on the "manner" in which Indian authorities have implemented the decision
- mentions the detentions of hundreds of politicians, including 3 former CMs

@HouseForeign Alice Wells:
- Kashmiris have the right to peaceful protests, but condemns those who take up violence
- Pakistan pressed to take action against LeT and JuD

@HouseForeign Asst Secy, @stategov's Bureau of Democracy, HR & Labor, Robert Destro starts by praising India's elections and democracy. "That said, however, we are complelled to raise several human rights issues as behaviour that cause them can undermine India's democratic success," he adds.

@HouseForeign @stategov Destro notes that curfew has been lifted, landlines restored and many released. "Still internet and mobile services remain blocked in several areas, which has caused shortage in medicine, stalled business and upsetting families unable to communicate".

@HouseForeign @stategov Destro also mentions that 300 politicians have been detained under Public Security Act that allows for detention for 2 years without trial.

@HouseForeign @stategov In Assam, final draft of NRC puts 1.9 million at risk of being stateless. Although there is an appeal process, poor and illiterate population will be at disadvantage: Destro

@HouseForeign @stategov .@HouseForeign chair Sherman asks whether US is concerned about Citizenship Amendment Bill. Destro adds that the bill does leave Muslims out. Sherman replies if this is a serious legislative proposal or crackpot idea. Destro says it is, but not going through yet.

@HouseForeign @stategov Sherman – have we condemned the concept of defining someone’s legal rights obligation based on their religion?
Destro – we are doing it right now.
Sherman – thank you.
#CAB

@HouseForeign @stategov Sherman also grilled Alice Wells on the lack of access to Kashmir. Wells mentioned that US had proposed to take a delegation to J&K, but did not get permission.

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep Spanberger: how is the state department accepting that India, a close ally... is telling us that US diplomats cannot enter Kashmir?

@HouseForeign @stategov Spanberger also asks Wells about children have been detained under public safety act?
Wells – Statistics on detention are very ambiguous.

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep Ilhan Omar asks about US' position on Kashmir self-determination and then moves to Assam.
Wells replies US believes that voices of Kashmiris should be heard. She added that on Assam, the appeal and judicial process is on, but concerned that poor most vulnerable.

@HouseForeign @stategov Chair Sherman states that a human rights abuse does not cease to be human rights abuse even if it is in line with a legal process.

@HouseForeign @stategov Earlier, Sherman also agreed with Rep Spanberger's call for a classified hearing to assess whether US authorities agree with Indian government that restrictions on communication and detentions have prevented terror attacks.

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep Jayapal also announces that she will introduce a bipartisan resolution on the continuing detentions. She had pointed out that many of these detentions were continuing despite adverse remarks from High Court.

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep Brian Fitzpatrick asks about the recent attacks by terror groups on apple traders.
Wells replied that it was a reminder that these are very muddied waters and lots of terrorist organisation are seeking to take advantage.

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep David Trone also raises the point that CODEL was not allowed to go to Kashmir.
Alice Wells: They told us that this is "not the right time".
Trone: Seems like the right time exactly.

@HouseForeign @stategov Ranking member Yoho turns to whether Pakistan is taking steps against groups like JeM.
Wells states that US would like to see enforcement of Imran Khan warning that those crossing the LoC are "enemy of Pakistan and enemy of Kashmir" as "that is an important statement".

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep Malinowski asks whether from a counter-terrorism perspective, whether cutting off complete communication - "is it helpful?"
Destro – It is counterproductive in our view....

@HouseForeign @stategov Malinowski comments that the communciation blockade "disempowers the very people who we want to be our allies". Terrorists are already operating in the shadows, he adds.

@HouseForeign @stategov Two lawmakers, Malinowski and then Cicciline asks whether the move to remove section 370 was engineered due to politics and "ultra-nationalism" of BJP and RSS.
In her reply, Well specifically notes that revocation "is not what we care about", but "how Kashmiris live their life".

@HouseForeign @stategov Rep Jackson Lee: Is this a humanitarian crisis?
Asst Secy Destro: Yes it is.

@HouseForeign @stategov Sherman: since Aug 5, has there been any verified cross-border terrorism acts?
Wells: different stories from different sides. Indian government argues that they have seen buildup... We have observed a declined in incidents of infiltration. But can’t comment on specific incidents.

@HouseForeign @stategov Sherman: what credence should we give to local elections being held this month in Kashmir?
Destro: we have to wait and see what happens…. At least it is a start.
Sherman: can we have faith...
Wells: ...it is one measure to see willingness of Kashmiris to engage with central govt