By The South Asia Times

NEW YORK - Pakistan on Tuesday used its Right of Reply during a UN meeting to sharply criticize India, accusing it of committing crimes against humanity in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, targeting minorities, and sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

The statement came during the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, where Pakistan’s delegation condemned what it described as India’s serial violations of international law and UN principles.

“I am compelled to use my Right of Reply to respond to the statement made by the delegate of one country,” said Pakistan’s representative, highlighting alleged abuses by India in Kashmir and against minority communities.

Pakistan accused India of attacking civilians, including children, violating UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, and employing pallet guns that blinded Kashmiri children. The delegation also cited India’s suspension and violation of the Indus Water Treaty, claiming that New Delhi had acted unilaterally in contravention of the treaty’s provisions.

The statement further alleged India’s collusion with terrorist organizations to sow subversion and chaos in neighbouring countries, alongside running “international assassination campaigns against political dissidents with impunity.”

Highlighting domestic human rights concerns, Pakistan warned of threats to Indian minorities, citing recent attacks on Christians during Christmas in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, and criticized the nexus between the extremist Hindutva ideology and the ruling elite.

Pakistan also challenged India’s claim that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, calling it a disputed territory under UN Security Council resolutions. “Right of self-determination is the birthright of the Kashmiris as per UN Charter — a right which India solemnly promised but continues to deny,” the statement said.

The delegation emphasized that diplomatic rhetoric cannot legitimize India’s occupation of Kashmir or marginalization of minorities. Pakistan pledged to continue providing political and moral support to the Kashmiri people, including advocating for a UN-supervised plebiscite in line with Security Council resolutions.

Finally, Pakistan urged the international community to closely monitor human rights violations in India, warning that collective inaction could risk a “great tragedy.”