Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of the Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center, today welcomed the statement of Ms. Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who wanted to encourage people everywhere to honour Human Rights Day 2009 by resolving to take concrete and lasting actions to help put an end to discrimination. Dr. Fai said that fundamental human rights are universal as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They know no religious, national, or political boundaries. In addition, they are not hierarchical, like the caste systems. Everyone stands on the same plane when human rights are at issue. Dr. Fai lamented the conspiracy of silence over gross violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the occupied land of Kashmir, an occupation which itself violates the still binding United Nations Security Council resolutions dictating a self-determination under international impartial supervision. He said the muteness of international community has emboldened India to wage a chilling campaign of atrocities against innocent Kashmiris. The 700,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces operate outside the rule of law under the protective umbrella of an Indian immunity statute. Egregious human rights violations are commonplace including involuntary disappearances, extra-judicial killings, rape, torture, plunder, abductions, mutilations, arbitrary detentions. Dr. Fai said that Indian Premier Dr Manmohan Singh's assertion that borders cannot be redrawn in Kashmir is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Kashmir. The people have always revolted against the status quo and the status quo cannot be an option. KASHMIRI AMERICAN COUNCIL, Washington, December 9