Kashmir Institute of International Relations Condemns Revocation of OCI Card of Prof. Natasha Koul – A Deliberate Silencing of Dissent

Islamabad -May 20, 2025,TW) – The Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) vehemently condemns the Government of India’s decision to revoke the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card of UK-based Kashmiri Pandit scholar and human rights defender, Prof. Natasha Koul. This action represents a blatant attempt to silence a critical voice speaking truth to power and exposes the Indian state’s increasingly authoritarian tactics against those who dare to challenge its policies in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Prof. Koul, a vocal advocate for the rights of all Kashmiris and a tireless voice for the voiceless, has become the latest victim of India’s systematic suppression of dissent. By targeting her for raising concerns about the Indian government’s iron-fisted policies in the region, New Delhi demonstrates a clear pattern of intimidation and reprisal against overseas Kashmiris who seek to expose the realities on the ground.

“This is not an isolated incident,” stated veteran Kashmiri rights defender and Chairman of KIR, Altaf Hussain Wani. “Prof. Koul joins a growing list of individuals – including Muzmil Ayoub Thakur, Dr. Adil Dar, Dr. G.N. Mir, and scores of others – who have been unjustly denied their OCI rights. Hundreds more remain under the watchful eye of Indian agencies, effectively stifling their freedom of movement and expression.”

The revocation of OCI cards is a deliberate attempt to marginalize and silence Kashmiri diaspora members who are actively working to raise international awareness about the human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir. This action is a clear manifestation of apartheid-like policies targeting overseas Kashmiris for speaking out against Indian government policies.

KIR urgently calls upon:

• The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner: To take immediate cognizance of this alarming trend and investigate the systematic targeting of Kashmiri diaspora members.
• The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders: To specifically address this case and assess the broader implications for freedom of expression and dissent.
• Other relevant UN Special Rapporteurs: To investigate the human rights violations occurring in Indian-occupied Kashmir and the suppression of voices speaking out against them.

KIIR demands that the Government of India immediately reinstate the OCI cards of all those unjustly denied, and guarantee the safe entry and exit from the country for all individuals committed to peaceful advocacy and the pursuit of justice for the people of Kashmir.

The international community must not stand idly by while India continues to erode fundamental rights and suppress dissent. The time for decisive action is now.