KASHMIR - ABUSES- INTERVENTION : UN RIGHTS CHIEF

GENEVA : Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday expressed her continuing  ''concern'' over the deteriorating situation in Kashmir.

"We continue to monitor the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, where restrictions on communications, and clampdowns on civil society activists, remain of concern.

Despite recent restoration of 4G access for mobile phones, the communications blockade has seriously hampered civic participation, as well as business, livelihoods, education, and access to health-care and medical information.

Raids against human rights defenders in October and November exemplify the continued restrictions on civil society, and resulting impact on the rights of the people of Kashmir to impart and receive information, and to engage in free, open debate on Government policies affecting them.

Internet access in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir also remains a serious problem, prompting student protests in the past year."