Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India about repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts in order to allow members of the armed forces to be investigated for alleged human rights abuses, as recommended in the report by the APPG on Kashmir, Human Rights Abuses in Jammu Kashmir, published on 30 October.

We note the concerns about human rights violations and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act raised in the report by the APPG on Kashmir. The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific has agreed to meet with the APPG Kashmir to discuss the recommendations of their report. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws meet international human rights standards. Any allegations of human rights violations or abuses is concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. We raise the issue of Kashmir, including human rights, with the governments of India and Pakistan. The Government also works with the Indian and Pakistani governments to build capacity and share expertise to tackle challenges, including the promotion and protection of human rights.