The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that the “Indian Consular Officers were not given unimpeded, unhindered, and unconditional access” to Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian national who was abducted by Pakistan army on charges of espionage.
India recently requested the Pakistani side for an “unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional consular access” to Mr. Kulbhushan Jadhav on 13th July. Pakistan was asked to ensure that the meeting is held in an atmosphere free from fear of retribution and without the presence of any Pakistani official. Pakistan was also requested to not record the meeting.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry had agreed and assured to organize this consular access. Two Consular Officers of the High Commission proceeded to the meeting with Mr Jadhav. However, neither the environment nor the arrangements made for the meeting were as assured.
MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that Pakistani officials were present in an intimidating manner and in close proximity to Mr. Jadhav and other Indian Consul Officers, despite protests from the Indian side.
He said that there was a camera that recorded the conversations.
Mr. .Anurag Srivastava noted that Mr. Kulbhushan Jadhav was visibly under stress and had indicated the same to the Consul Officers.
He said that the arrangements did not allow for a free conversation between the officer and Mr. Jadhav. The Consular Officers could not engage Mr Jadhav on his legal rights and were prevented from obtaining his written consent for arranging his legal representation. It is on this basis that the Indian Consul Officers came to a conclusion that the consular access given by Pakistan was neither credible nor meaningful. The officers later left the venue after lodging a protest
The MEA Spokesperson said that Pakistan’s continues to approach the matter in an insincere and obstructive way, completely in violation of its assurances at the International Court of Justice to fully implement the 2019 judgement. He said that it failed to act in accordance with its own ordinance. Minister of External Affairs has informed Mr. Jadhav’s family of these developments, Mr. Srivastava said.
He reiterated that India was committed to bring back Jadhav safely and that the future course of action will be decided based on yesterday’s events. He said that India had requested Pakistan more than 12 times to provide unhindered and unconditional consular access to Mr. Jadhav who has been incarcerated in Pakistan since 2016. Unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional consular access is required as it forms the basis for an effective review and reconsideration of the judgement given by the military tribunal.
In May this year, Pakistan passed an ordinance to comply with the orders of the International Court of Justice. It inter-alia envisaged the Consular Officer of the High Commission of India filing a petition before a High Court for the relevant review and reconsideration. Hence, the consular access and contact between Jadhav and Indian Consul Officers become crucial. He said that any conversation between them must take place in privacy in the absence of any Pakistani official or recording by Pakistan as only then will Mr. Jadhav be able to speak freely without worrying about facing torture as he remains in Pakistan’s custody after meeting. It is evident that Mr. Jadhav has been intimidated repeatedly in the past, including in being made to express his alleged disinclination to seek a review.
Source: AIR News