By Ather Zia I want to talk about a photograph. I am a journalist. Often journalists…
August 5: Kashmir Twitter Storm with Toolkit
We must let the world know what has happened in Kashmir this past year under siege. Please use this toolkit. Follow our work on @JFAorg and @FreeKashmirOrg
Americans and Canadians can tweet at their electeds using the tool. You will need to insert your address and have a Twitter account.
The second section has ready to tweet tweets that are sources from vetted sources. Help amplify Kashmir-led orgs and writers by tweeting them out. Tweets based on the new Human Rights Watch report and The Kashmir Reading Room report and Stand With Kashmir Release Prisoners campaign are included.
Join the Kashmir Twitterstorm #FreeKashmir #KashmirAction @jfaorg @FreeKashmirOrg www.freekashmir.org/August5 Share on X Share the Truth FAQs on Kashmir #FreeKashmir https://www.freekashmir.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kashmir-dispute-and-the-current-siege-FAQs.pdf Share on XCountry-wise tweets:
Topic-wise tweets:
Drafting your own tweets?
Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind
In The United States – Tweet at Your Elected Officials and Those running for Federal Elections 2020
- Enter your email address and address of your residence in the United States.
- Then click the red “Tweet Button”. Your tweet will automatically populated with the Twitter handle of your electeds and those running for office in your state).
We have made in really easy for you to act for Kashmir!
On the 1st anniversary of the lockdown of occupied #Kashmir, @realDonaldTrump must demand @PMOIndia demilitarize, end torture, allow access to media & human rights orgs & grant the UN-mandated right to self-determination. #FreeKashmir Share on XIn Canada Tweet at Your MPs
- Enter your email address and address of your residence in Canada.
- Then click the red “Tweet Button”. Your tweet will automatically populated with the Twitter handle of your MPs.
Tweets On What Has Happened In the Past Year
Disintegration By Gunpoint is a report by Kashmiri journalists, scholars, lawyers documents taking place in legal, policy and economic spheres https://bit.ly/Kashmirreading #FreeKashmir Share on X India unilaterally suspended the civil and political rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and imposed a severe lockdown and communication blockade for months, in the absence of legal authority to do so.#FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X The 42000 innocent persons killed are the result of militarization foisted on the people of Kashmir to curb their resistance further subverting any traces of democracy #FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X Arbitrary illegal arrests and detentions of civilians, children and the emerging young leadership has effectively silenced any democratic voices emerging from the local population #FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X This unilateral action of India has resulted in violation of UN resolutions, Shimla Agreement and many bilateral agreements between India and Pakistan.#FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X By allowing people from outside of Kashmir to acquire domicile status, land and property, demographic change is being initiated in Jammu and Kashmir #FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom @jfaorg Share on X India’s authoritarian approach towards the resolution of Kashmir Conflict has severely dented India’s soft image #FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X Hundreds of protesters in Srinagar on August 16 2019 agitated against the amendment of Article 370 to which the police responded with teargas shells and pellet firing shotguns #FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X The Kashmir Conflict is a political dispute affecting the lives of millions of people trapped in this conflict #FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X The @UN constructive efforts are needed to resolve the Kashmir Dispute considering the contemporary political developments.#FreeKashmir @KReadingRoom Share on X Indian government claims that it was determined to improve Kashmiri lives ring hollow one year after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status https://bit.ly/HRWKashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Indian authorities have maintained stifling restraints on Kashmiris in violation of their basic human rights. Kashmiris have been stripped of their right to self determination. https://bit.ly/HRWKashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X According to the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, over 400 people remain in custody under the draconian Public Safety Act, which permits detention without trial for up to two years https://bit.ly/HRWKashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X We call for the release of Mubeen Shah who was unjustly arrested over accusations of sedition after criticizing India for altering the Muslim majority demographics of Jammu & Kashmir. @hrw https://bit.ly/HRWKashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X India announced a new media policy in which the gov decides what is fake news & plagiarism. We call for freedom of the press & the decriminalization of journalism. Exposing human rights violations of the Indian government is NOT a crime!… Share on X Indian government currently uses harsh counterterrorism and sedition laws to clamp down on peaceful protests and critics https://bit.ly/HRWKashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X India should take immediate steps to protect basic human rights by releasing political detainees; upholding free speech, allow for fair hearings, withdraw cases against journalists and activists; restore internet access; & hold officials… Share on X “Even as the pandemic is forcing the world to address discrimination and inequality, the Indian government is persisting with its repression of Kashmiri Muslims” @hrw https://bit.ly/HRWKashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X After revoking J&K’s autonomous status and splitting it into two federally governed territories, the Indian authorities imposed broad restrictions on movement, banned public meetings, shut down telecom services and educational institutions… Share on X Among the thousands taken into custody to prevent protests were 144 children! #FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Using foul counterterrorism and sedition laws to clamp down on peaceful critics, the authorities accused Mubeen Shah, a businessman, of sedition after he criticized the government for attempting to alter the Muslim-majority demographic status of… Share on X Among the thousands taken into custody to prevent protests were 144 children! #FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Criminal investigations against journalists Gowher Geelani and Peerzada Ashiq and photojournalist Masrat Zahra were undertaken on grounds of “anti-national ” social media posts and reportage.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Journalist and editor of an online news portal The Kashmiriyat, Qazi Shibli, previously held under the Public Safety for nine months Act, was detained again on July 31, 2020.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Using foul counterterrorism and sedition laws to clamp down on peaceful critics, the authorities accused Mubeen Shah, a businessman, of sedition after he criticized the government for attempting to alter the Muslim-majority demographic status of… Share on X In June, the government introduced a new media policy that allows authorities to decide what is “fake news, plagiarism and unethical or anti-national activities” and to harass and take punitive action against media outlets, journalists, and… Share on X The new Media Policy-2020 contains vague and overbroad provisions that are open to abuse and could unnecessarily restrict and penalize legally protected speech in J&K.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries estimated that the first three months of lockdown since August 2019 cost the economy over US $2.4 billion, for which no redress has been provided.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Economic losses have nearly reached US $4.8 billion in J&K since the government imposed further restrictions to contain Covid-19 in March.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Access to the internet is crucial for communication, education and business amidst the current pandemic. Despite Supreme Court orders calling “access to the internet” a fundamental right, the people of J&K are only permitted slow-speed 2G… Share on X The government’s unwarranted restraints on the rights to free speech, access to information, health care, and education have been intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Doctors in J&K have complained that the lack of internet is hurting the Covid-19 response. J&K still suffers with unjust restrictions on internet access and only has access to slow-speed 2G mobile internet services.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Without proper internet, students are often unable to attend online classes. The limited speed of 2G networks has made it impossible for online classes to function adequately. This is an outright violation of education rights.#FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Graduate students and teachers have been unable to participate in conferences or have their papers published due to continued internet restrictions even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a blatant effort to harm the careers of Kashmiri… Share on X On August 3, 2020, the authorities issued an order restricting movement for two days to prevent “violent protests” against the decision to revoke constitutional autonomy in August 2019. #FreeKashmir @hrw Share on X Kashmir is transformed into an open prison where the state works with a self-proscribed impunity to confiscate or mitigate basic universal rights, while the Indian state is trying to entice assimilatory participation of the common people… Share on XTweets on Prisoners
1000s of Kashmiris have been held in jails across J&K and all over India including minors, women, the ill and the elderly. An estimated 4,000-13,000 Kashmiris have been detained since August 5. #FreeKashmir @standwkashmir Share on X We demand immediate revocation of all PSA detentions. We demand release of all children on humanitarian grounds. #FreeKashmir @standwkashmir Share on X We demand the release of convicted prisoners on parole, especially ones held in jails away from Kashmir. #FreeKashmir @standwkashmir Share on X We demand the release of people legally and illegally detained or held in police lockups, joint interrogation centres, and house arrests. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Detentions are a form of collective punishment. They affect not only the detainee but the entire family and community. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X At least 251 detainees were shifted out of Kmr after August 2019. This violates Art 47 of the Geneva Convention, which states “protected persons accused of offenses shall be detained in the occupied country.” @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Faisal Mir, a 22 yo salesman was arrested on 6 Aug’19, when he stepped out of his house to buy meds. Faisal was taken to a jail in Uttar Pradesh, India. His mother now lives alone and has filed a petition #FreeKashmir Share on X Fayaz, 25, stepped outside on 5 Aug’19 to buy meds and was arrested just outside the pharmacy shop. He was booked under PSA and taken to Uttar Pradesh jail. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Masrat Alam, 45, has spent 23 intermittent years in Indian jails. He was first arrested in 1990 for his political belief. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Masrat Alam’s only sibling- his disabled sister, passed away when he was in jail. Masrat has been denied the right to attend the last rites of his sister and close relatives despite repeated requests. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X What you see in Kashmir is occupation…and occupations are not resolved. Occupations are ended. India Must Go Back. –Masrat Alam @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Ghulam Qadir Bhat is one of the longest serving political prisoners of Kashmir. He has been in detention since 1994. Bhat was cleared of all charges by TADA Court in 2000 and granted bail, but HE WAS NEVER RELEASED. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Ghulam Qadir Bhat, one of the longest serving political prisoners of Kashmir, is survived by four children. He lost his father in 1998, and wife in 2009. Both died awaiting his release. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Manzoor, 20, was arrested on 6 Aug’19 and booked under PSA. He was taken to a jail in Uttar Pradesh. His family was allowed to meet him at their fourth attempt and saw him in ill health and distress. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Peer Saifullah, 53, a leader of Tehreek-e Hurriyat is languished in Tihar jail since 2017 after arrested by India’s NIA for “waging war against India.” NIA special court after months of delaying Peer Saifullah’s bail plea, rejected it.… Share on X Peer Saifullah was operated on for brain tumour months before his arrest. He survives on life saving drugs. He has repeatedly fallen unconscious inside prison and has been denied medical care. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Uzair, 18, a street vendor, was arrested by J&K Police on 6th August’19. He was shifted to a jail in Uttar Pradesh. His family has not been able to visit him or talk to him. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Zahid, 35, is a political activist who was arrested on 6th Aug’19. He has been slapped with 15 PSAs so far. Zahid’s wedding was scheduled for last week of Aug but was called off due to his continued detention. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Aftab Hilal Shah,53, was arrested by NIA in Julu 2016. He was the official spokesperson of Hurriyat conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He is currently imprisoned in Tihar jail and suffers from various health issues. @standwkashmir… Share on X Aasif Sultan, 31, is a journalist who has been falsely accused under UAPA. Aasif was arrested on 27th Aug’18. He has a 2 and a half year old daughter who barely remembers him. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Aasif Sultan was awarded the Press Freedom Award by American National Press Club. He has been repeatedly harassed and asked to reveal his sources for a cover story he did on HM commander Burhan Wani. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Aasif Sultan has been in jail for almost 2 years now. The prison where he was lodged recently reported a COVID outbreak. Aasif’s family is extremely worried about his health. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X International human rights groups like Amnest and Community to Protect Journalists have demanded immediate release of Aasif Sultan. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Altaf Shah, 63, is a leader of Tehreek-e Hurriyat. He has worked on assisting the families of Kashmiri Prisoners. Altaf was arrested by NIA in July 2017 and remains in Tihar till date. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Altaf Shah, 63, has been in Tihar since 2017, he has severe health issues like hypertension, diabetes. Shah is insulin dependent. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Yasin Malik, 54, is a prominent pro-independence leader and chief of JKLF. Yasin was arrested by NIA in a 2 year old case of militant funding and sent to Tihal jail. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Yasin Malik's deteriorating health in jail during a global coronavirus pandemic has added to the woes of his family. He has a seven year old daughter who has only spent only 30 days with him. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Yasin Malik suffers from cardiological issues. Due to interrogative tortures, his heart valve had to be replaced. The current pandemic and poor conditions in jail worry his family more. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Sofi Fehmeeda, 33, has been charged with sedition. She was arrested by NIA in April’18. She has been slapped with PSA 9 times, the first time being when she was only 17 years old. Fehmeeda had joined DeM in 2002. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Sofi Fehmeeda could not continue her education due to revolving door detentions. She suffers from various health ailments and is awaited by her aging mother. She is lodged in Tihar jail. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Nahida Nasreen, 56, has been jailed for her political beliefs. The chargesheet against her accuses her of "waging war against the Indian state." Nahida is the General Secretary of DeM. She was arrested by NIA in April’18. @standwkashmir… Share on X Nahida, who has been in jail for 2 years now, suffers from various health issues and has been denied proper healthcare. Nahida has two sons and a daughter who get to talk to her once every month for 5 minutes. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Asiya Andrabi, 58, founder of the DeM was arrested by NIA in 2018 and sent to Tihar Jail. She is one of the most prominent pro-freedom leaders of Kashmir and fiercely advocates Kashmir's liberation from Indian rule. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Asiya Andrabi has been slapped with PSA for about 20 times since 1993. Asiya has intermittently spent 12 years of her life in jail. She is married to Kashmir’s longest serving political prisoner, Dr. Qasim Faktoo. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Asiya Andrabi is married to Kashmir's longest-serving political prisoner, Dr Qasim Faktoo. In 28 years of their marriage, the couple has only spent 4 years together. They have two sons. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Asiya Andrabi was recently shifted to Tihar’s Punishment ward after her lawyers pushed for a bail. She suffers from Asthma, Arthritis, Bronchospasm and has been denied proper medical care. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Insha Jan, 23, was arrested by India's NIA, along with her father Tariq Shah for their alleged involvement in assisting militants. The arrest of the duo has made life hard for Insha's mother, Naseem. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Insha Jan’s family now struggles to make ends meet after Tariq's arrest. Insha's belongings were confiscated by NIA, even the curtains of her room and floor mats were confiscated. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Hina Bashir, 39, was jailed by the Delhi Police along with her husband. They are accused of having links with rebels. Hina tested +ve for COVID in June after which she was not even allowed to talk to her lawyer. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Hina Bashir had applied for bail on medical grounds but was rejected despite of her testing positive. The family alleges that the couple was arrested because of their Kashmiri Muslim identity. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Naseema Bano, 50, was booked under UAPA and arrested on 2oth June by JK Police. She is the mother of slain Kashmiri rebel Tauseef Sheikh who was killed by Indian forces in 2018 in Shupyan district of South Kashmir. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X 15 of Naseema Bano’s family members have been killed by the Indian forces since 1990. Bano was arrested because of a photograph that she took with her son when he was an active militant. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X During the raid conducted to arrest her, Naseema Bano's family was robbed off money and jewelry. Bano is a patient of hypertension and diabetes and needs regular medical care. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Ayaz Akbar,53, was the official spokesperson of TeH till he got arrested in 2017 by NIA. His wife is suffering from cancer. Akbar’s bail plea on “humanitarian grounds” to be with his wife has been rejected repeatedly. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X 15 of Naseema Bano’s family members have been killed by the Indian forces since 1990. Bano was arrested because of a photograph that she took with her son when he was an active militant. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X During the raid conducted to arrest her, Naseema Bano's family was robbed of money and jewelry. Bano is a patient of hypertension and diabetes and needs regular medical care. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Ayaz Akbar,53, was the official spokesperson of TeH till he got arrested in 2017 by NIA. His wife is suffering from cancer. Akbar’s bail plea on “humanitarian grounds” to be with his wife has been rejected repeatedly. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Dr. Qasim Faktoo is the longest serving political prisoners of Kashmir. He was first arrested in 1993. He was freed of all charges by TADA court but rearrested in 2002. He has spent 27 years in prison. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on X Ashraf Sehrai is a prominent Hurriyat leader of Kashmir. He was arrested in July and booked under PSA. His son, Junaid Sehrai was a militant and was martyred this year. @standwkashmir #FreeKashmir Share on XMassacres in Kashmir
Eyewitnesses recount the horrors of 21st Jan, 1990, when CRPF troops opened fire on a protest rally killing 53 people and injuring 200. Share on X Gawkadal Massacre: People were protesting the military raids that were conducted in the area after imposition of AFSPA. #FreeKashmir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_gywdwa1Vw Share on X Eyewitnesses recount the horrors of 25th January, 1990, when Indian Armed Forces fired on a procession of 10,000 people killing 21 protestors who had gathered to protest against the Gaw Kadal massacre #FreeKashmir Share on X Handwara Massacre: Eyewitnesses recount the horrors of 25th January, 1990. Share and educate #Freekashmir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLJl2KBBFpg Share on X Sopore Massacre: Survivors recount the day of 6th Jan, 1993, when 53 people were killed, and a one-and-a-half kilometer-long block in central Sopore burned to the ground in the largest reprisal attack by the Border Security Forces. #FreeKashmir Share on X Sopore Massacre: Survivors recount the day of 6th Jan, 1993, when 53 people were killed #FreeKashmir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA1ZF7ghci4 Share on X Bijhbhera Massacre: Survivors narrate the ordeal of 22nd Oct, 1993, when 43 civilians were killed and 200 injured by BSF in Bijbhera town of Kashmir. #FreeKashmir Share on X Bijhbhera Massacre: After the Friday prayers, people took to the streets to protest the siege of Hazratbal shrine. #FreeKashmir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr-xNQKZAYo Share on X Chittisinghpora Massacre: On March 20, 2000, 35 Sikh were killed by unknown gunmen who were dresses in Army fatigues. Gunmen cordoned the area, told the men in the locality to assemble in a ground where they were shot dead. #FreeKashmir Listen… Share on X Chittisinghpora Massacre: On March 20, 2000, 35 #FreeKashmir Listen to the testimonies here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFcNY_CyXk4 Share on X Sailan Massacre: On the night of 3-4 August, 1998, 19 civilians, 13 females and 6 males, including 11 children, were allegedly shot to death at point blank range in their homes in Sailan village by 4 Special Police Officers (SPOs) and personnel… Share on X Zakura and Tengpora Massacre: On March 1, 1990, 26 unarmed civilians were killed and dozens more injured when Indian troops fired indiscriminately on a pro freedom rally near Zakoora Crossing, in Srinagar. #FreeKashmir Share on X Zakura and Tengpora Massacre: The protesters were heading towards the office of the United Nations to submit a memorandum seeking freedom from India. 11 people died on spot while 15 others succumbed on their way to the hospital. #freekashmir Share on X Zakura and Tengpora Massacre: On the same day, around 5 pm, 21 people were killed when the Army targeted two passenger buses near Tengpora Bypass in Batamaloo area of Srinagar. The dead included five women. #FreeKashmir Share on X Zakura and Tengpora Massacre:“Some people were chanting anti- India and pro freedom slogans on the roof top of these buses. It was their only crime that they were targeted,” said an eyewitness. #FreeKashmir Share on X Hawal Massacre: Survivors recount the horrors of May 21, 1990, when the religious head of Kashmir Mirwaiz Maulana Farooq was assassinated, the streets of Downtown Srinagar were flooded by the locals. #FreeKashmir Share on X Hawal Massacre The body of Mirwaiz Farooq was being taken from the SKIMS Hospital, Soura to Rajouri Kadal by a huge procession. When the procession reached Hawal area of old Srinagar, the paramilitary personnel stationed in a camp at Islamia… Share on X Over 60 civilians were killed and more than 200 were injured in Hawal. For those who survived thousands of bullets, memories of the carnage will never fade. The survivors even remember the name of the CRPF commandant posted who ordered his troops… Share on XDrafting Your Owns Tweets : Here are some Dos and Don’ts
Allies: Please use language that is used by Kashmiris
- Terminologies to be used:
- Rebels, avoid militants
- Indian Armed Forces, avoid saying Indian soldiers
- Resistance leaders, avoid saying Separatists
- Protestors, avoid saying stone pelters
- Pro-India Politicians, avoid saying mainstream leaders/Kashmiri politicians
- Internationally disputed, not Indian state
- Not a Bilateral / Territorial Dispute
- It’s an occupation, Kashmir is colonized
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