It’s a big step forward for justice that Dr. Shah has been granted a temporary release after four months of being detained without any due process—a clear violation of his human rights.
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thehindu.com/news/national/…
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thehindu.com/news/national/…
After hearing from his niece—my constituent—I repeatedly pressed senior officials from the Indian government & the @StateDept in private meetings & public hearings about Dr. Shah’s case.
@StateDept Dr. Shah’s detention without charges by the Indian government is one of thousands of deeply unjust detentions without explanation or due process. nytimes.com/2019/08/23/wor…
@StateDept I call on the Indian government to grant Dr. Shah a permanent release so he can travel outside the country and obtain the medical care he so desperately needs—and end its arbitrary detentions and abuse of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
@StateDept Dr. Shah’s temporary release is the first reported release of a person detained under the Public Safety Act, controversial law that allows authorities to imprison someone in Jammu and Kashmir for up to two years without charge or trial.
@StateDept Yesterday, I introduced a bipartisan House Resolution with @Rep_Watkins to urge the Indian government to end restrictions on communications and mass detentions in Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible and preserve religious freedom for all residents.
congress.gov/bill/116th-con…
congress.gov/bill/116th-con…
@StateDept @Rep_Watkins As the world’s largest democracy, India shares a unique and important relationship with the United States. I’m proud to have lived my own life in the world’s two greatest democracies—as a citizen of India for 35 years, and now as a proud American citizen and member of Congress.
@StateDept @Rep_Watkins I have fought to strengthen the special U.S.-India relationship, which is why I'm deeply concerned. Detaining people w/out charge, severely limiting communications, & blocking neutral third-parties from visiting the region is harmful to our close, critical bilateral relationship.
@StateDept @Rep_Watkins The Indian government must quickly lift restrictions on cell phones and internet access, release arbitrarily detained people, protect free speech and peaceful protest, and condemn all religiously motivated violence at the highest levels across India.
@StateDept @Rep_Watkins I hope to work with the Indian government and my colleagues in Congress to strengthen the U.S.-India partnership, while protecting the human rights of the Kashmiri people.
