A human rights organisation has sought the "urgent" intervention of the UN for the release of Yasin Malik, saying that the Jammu and Kashmir liberation Front (JKLF) Chief should be removed to a medical facility in view of his deteriorating health.In a communication, Ravi Nair of SOUTH ASIA HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION CENTRE (SAHRDC) has asked Dainius Puras, UN Special Rapporteur ‘on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health’, to see “your urgent intervention with the government of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir about the delicate health condition of Mr. Yasin Malik, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation front (JKLF)."It said that the health of Malik was at stake as revealed by his medical tests conducted at the Khyber hospital in Srinagar on September 27.“His personal doctor Dr. Sajjad Reshi examined him and advised further medical examinations related to his heart, kidney and other ailments.”“Mr. Malik is known to have recurrent nephrolithiasis bilaterally for which in the past he has undergone multiple PCNL and lithotripsy. Currently he has a 7.7 mm stone obstructing the left upper ureter with resultant hydronephrosis which must be evaluated after one week presently he is on medical expulsion therapy.”The communication said that Malik might require an operative intervention in the form of a urinary stenting/ ESWL or URS if the medical therapy fails.Dr Reshi has recommended that “Mr. Malik should be at a medical facility under constant observation.”
After medical examinations, the communication added, he was sent back to the Humhama Joint Interrogation Centre.“Mr. Tapan Bose, from the South Asia Forum for Human Rights took up the matter with the Indian Foreign Secretary, the Indian Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir to no avail on 6 October 2016. Earlier, on 5 October 2016, he communicated his concerns to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The Governor, Mr. NN Vohra in a communication to Mr. Bose stated that he had asked the state government to look into the matter.”JKLF, Nair said, is a non- violent organisation committed to peaceful struggle to achieve its aims. It formally gave up armed struggle against the Indian state in 1995.Malik was arrested on 8 July 2016, the day, a militant commander Burhan Wani was killed.He was first lodged in the police station at Kothibagh in Srinagar city for over three weeks. He was then shifted to Central Jail, Srinagar and then from there, taken to Humhama Mess on 4 September 2016, the day an all-party delegation from New Delhi visited Kashmir.“The Humhama Police Mess is a Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC). JICs are known for being illegal detention centres where torture and worse was and is routinely practiced.”“Yasin Malik was kept in solitary confinement in a small room which was filthy at the Joint Interrogation Centre in Humhama. He is presently being held under sections 107 and 151 of the Ranbir Penal Code.”Seeking the help of the UN Special Rapporteur to “urgently take up the matter of medical assistance to Mr. Malik with the Government of India and the Government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir”, Nair said that the “only alleged crime (of Yasin Malik )has been his organising peaceful protests against atrocities by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the J & K police.”(CNS)