DATE=3/12/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287460

TITLE= PAK/INDIA/U-N (L-O)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson,

says that Pakistan and India must de-escalate military tensions before

alleged human rights abuses in the disputed Kashmir region can be

addressed. Ms. Robinson is in Pakistan on the last leg of a five- nation trip (Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan). Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: At the Pakistani capital on Tuesday, U-N Human Rights chief,

Mary Robinson addressed the issue of human rights violations in Kashmir.

///ROBINSON ACT///

I have been asked by those who are victims of human rights violations on

both sides, to assess and examine the situation and draw attention more

fully to the extent of the human rights violations. I am going to seek a

way, I am going to consult with some experts who have studied closely the

situation on both sides and look at possible strategy to highlight the

importance of addressing the human rights violations.

///END ACT///

The Indian government says that more than 33-thousand people have died in the

decade-old separatist Muslim insurgency in Kashmir. Pakistan puts the toll at 80-thousand.

Ms. Robinson says that is not possible to ignore the pleas of human rights

victims in Kashmir and that the matter must be addressed. But for any

such action, she says, both India and Pakistan need to reduce

their military presence along the border.

///ROBINSON ACT///

It's very important that there should be a de-escalation, and I welcome any

initiatives in that regard. And secondly there has to be a political

discussion and a political way forward found. It's difficult to deal with

the human rights situation in a contested political sensitive situation

such as that.

///END ACT///

India and Pakistan have ignored repeated calls by international leaders to

pull back their troops and open talks to settle their disputes. Tensions have

been running high in the region after a terror attack on India's parliament

in December. New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for sponsoring the attack.

The Pakistani government has dismissed the charge as baseless. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/SAB