As of 17 February 1995, the Government of India had provided AI with responses to 519 of the 706 cases listed in the report “India: Torture and deaths in custody in Jammu and Kashmir” (ASA 20/01/95, 31 January 1995). AI appreciates the prompt provision of information by the government. However, AI concludes that the government’s response is evasive and misleading. The information provided on specific cases lacks any substantial evidence to support the government’s dismissal of many of the grave allegations contained in AI’s January report. There seems to be no willingness on the part of the government to order prompt, impartial and independent investigations into the alleged violations, to establish an independent commission to protect detainees or to ensure that those responsible for violations are brought to justice promptly. The government continues to refuse to invite the two UN Special Rapporteurs, on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions and on torture, to visit Jammu and Kashmir and to deny human rights NGOs such as AI access to the state.
