Facts behind EU DisinfoLab report
Dr Shabir Choudhry
The report produced by ‘EU DisinfoLab’ made some headlines, and pleased all those who always try to twist facts, manufacture stories and accuse political leaders and human rights activists who expose Pakistani duplicity and imperialist policies on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The report titled ‘Indian Chronicles’ was prepared by the EU DisinfoLab, which is a Brussels based NGO. The authors of this controversial report assert that a Delhi-based NGO called, Srivastava Group established a complex network to disseminate propaganda against Pakistan.
Pakistanis and their supporters in Jammu and Kashmir are claiming that the Indian government was behind this network. Alexandre Alaphilippe, Executive Director of the EU DisinfoLab said, "It is the largest network we have exposed”. The primary task of this network, according to him, was to "discredit Pakistan internationally”, and influence decision making in the European Parliament and in the UN Human Rights Council.
However, the BBC in its report on this scam said:
‘There is no evidence the network is linked to India's government’, but adds that ‘they rely heavily on amplifying content produced on fake media outlets with the help of Asian News International (ANI) - India's largest wire service and a key focus of the investigation’. 1
Mr Ben Nimmo, a disinformation network expert and the director of investigations at digital monitoring firm Graphika, cited previous examples of privately-run large-scale troll operations, and asserted that "Just because they're big, it doesn't necessarily mean they're directly run by the state". 2
This EU Disinfo Lab report is in favour of Pakistan, and the timing cannot be any better, as in mid-December morale of the Pakistanis is very low because it was in December 1971, they lost the war with India, and more than ninety thousand soldiers surrendered in Dhaka, East Pakistan.
Not only Pakistan lost East Pakistan, the defeat also brought shame to the Pakistani nation. However, this report has brought smiles on the faces of many Pakistanis and many citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, as they think India is exposed at the international level; and that Pakistan has scored a goal against India.
This report has brought a victorious smile on the faces of many people; and provided an opportunity to the lame-duck government to divert attention from the real challenges Pakistan and the people are facing.
Based on this controversial report, the Pakistan government, including the Prime Minister Imran Khan, who prayed for the success of the Indian Prime Minister Modi to win the previous elections, accused his government for 'subversive activities' by using fake media organisations.
In reply to this, India condemned Pakistan for making allegations that New Delhi was disseminating disinformation. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, ‘as a responsible democracy, India does not practice disinformation campaigns. He said:
"In fact, if you are looking at disinformation, the best example is the country next door which is circulating fictional and fabricated dossiers and purveys a regular stream of fake news". 3
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson in a reply to a question said:
‘Disinformation is practised particularly by those who have records to hide such as sheltering international wanted terrorists including Osama bin Laden, and seek unsuccessfully to cover up their own tracks such as on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Srivastava said, hitting out at Pakistan’. 4
Apart from making allegations against each other, both India and Pakistan very frequently exchange fire on the Line of Control, and add to suffering and problems of the families who are forcibly divided since October 1947.
If this is a ‘goal’ against India; then India as a sovereign country with tremendous resources and influence at the international level can decide whether to ignore this report, or give an appropriate response at the time of their choosing.
In other words, my concern is not what this report has done to India, but what damage it has caused to us people of Jammu and Kashmir; and how foolishly some citizens of Jammu and Kashmir are damaging our cause.
India – Pakistan rivalry
Although India and Pakistan emerged as independent countries in August 1947, however, rivalry between their leaders started many years before that. I agree there were other factors, but the main reason why Muslims and Hindus transformed into two hostile camps was the rivalry between two Gujrati politicians, namely Jinnah and Gandhi.
They were both British educated barristers and influential leaders of the Congress. When Jinnah was outmanoeuvred by Gandhi, he played a religious card, even though he was not a religious man by any stretch of imagination.
When religious sentiments are brought in to political matters, then that gives undue importance to religious extremists who promote religious hatred and intolerance. This is exactly what happened in the 1940s when Jinnah wanted a separate country in the name of religion. This also suited the British interests.
In other words, antagonism that we witness between India and Pakistan, was spearheaded by the Muslim League and the Congress before the Partition of India in August 1947.
In rivalry and competition between India and Pakistan, no matter who scores the goal, it is the people of Jammu and Kashmir who ultimately suffer. It is sad that we people are not learning any lessons from our ordeal; and still cannot differentiate between a friend and foe.
Background to this report
This report was prepared by EU Disinfo Lab, an NGO which has nothing to do with the EU Parliament or any other organ of the European Union. Before we look at the findings of this highly charged and controversial report, we need to see who was behind this report.
It is normal for the countries to establish Think Tanks and NGOs which can use their special knowledge and skills to advise governments on various policy matters; or promote a viewpoint that is in consonant with the national interests of the country.
Also countries hire services of journalists, writers, researchers, retired diplomats, army officers, IT specialists and economists etc to promote a particular viewpoint which can advance the national interests of that country.
In this context, if Pakistani agencies or some specially trained individuals or groups were behind this report then I am not surprised at all. We people of the Indian Subcontinent, may be because of our colonial past, give more credence to a report if that is prepared by some Europeans with white skin.
To achieve some target or targets if a country helps to establish an NGO to conduct research in a certain area or on a particular topic, then it is understandable. There are many ways to fund and supervise projects of this nature; and some countries have excelled in this field.
Even some countries get away with supporting terrorist actions, and other clandestine activities. To fund such actions they arrange money laundering and other illegal activities like drug and human trafficking. Some, at times, even use their diplomatic bags and other avenues to continue with their stealthy work.
It is widely believed that the Pakistani secret agencies and other groups and individuals played a leading role in preparation of this report. According to one Pakistani TV channel, which is believed to be controlled by the Pakistani establishment, Dr Shahid Masood helped EU Disinfo Lab to prepare this Report against India. 5
Dr Shahid Masood abandoned his medical practise, and was parachuted in to becoming a TV anchor. No doubt, he is a very famous Pakistani TV anchor, with very good contacts in Pakistan and abroad. He is widely believed to be closely working with the Pakistani establishment.
It must be pointed out here that the EU DisinfoLab, produced one report on the same topic in 2019. However that report did not have the desired impact. On this issue of fighting disinformation networks, the European Union Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Peter Stano said:
"Exposing the disinformation and those who spread it is one of our main instruments. We will continue to identify them and call them out." 6
On the issue of EU DisinfoLab, he said, ‘questions about finances and transparency of NGOs registered in Brussels were for Belgian authorities to answer’. It means there were some issues regarding the finance of this NGO and transparency of its work.
The EU Disinfo Lab report, no doubt, has damaged India; but in my considered opinion it has done more damage to people of Jammu and Kashmir who are suffering on both sides of the divide.
However, on this issue Nasir Aziz Khan, Spokesman of the United Kashmir People's National Party very confidently said:
‘We have faced this type of false propaganda and difficulties in the past, and we know how to fight back. We will continue to build alliances with the other oppressed people of the world, and work as a team to expose culprits. In the March 2021 Session of the UN Human Rights, we will be there, provided there are no restrictions due to Covid 19.’ 7
I admire the confidence of young and energetic stalwart of the UKPNP, however, my apprehension is that the NGOs can be more cautious as they have to protect the interests of their NGO, and they don’t want to face the wrath of the vindictive regime and their secret agencies.
It must be pointed out that the report is also against those political parties and individuals who bravely and consistently expose wrongdoings of Pakistani secret agencies and governments on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Pakistani agencies and other extremist groups abhor those citizens of Jammu and Kashmir who are staunch advocates of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with liberal and secular society.
As pointed out earlier, the damage done to India is trivial in the sense that a sovereign country like India can fight back to protect their interests. It is sad that some people of the divided Jammu and Kashmir are expressing happiness on this report, whereas it has caused immense damage to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute because it has further squeezed the little space we had to express our sentiments in international fora like the UN Human Rights Council.
Now that a Pakistani TV channel called Haqeeqat, known to be operated by those who are close to the Pakistani establishment, claims that Pakistan was behind this report, and that the individuals involved must be complimented for accomplishing this great task, we need to look at this report from a different perspective.
Pakistan has always opposed the united and independent Jammu and Kashmir. Those parties and individuals who are genuinely espousing this cause without any secret dealings behind the scenes are castigated by the Pakistani establishment and media as anti-Pakistan, anti-Jihad, traitors and Indian agents.
In view of this, is it surprising that they have, once again attacked the leadership of the United Kashmir People's National Party which has consistently and systematically exposed wrong doings of Pakistan and exposed their anti-people, anti-democracy and imperial policies.
One ISI operative Major Aamar, who was the main character in the operation ‘Midnight Jackal’, once proudly claimed that he and other officers of the ISI successfully defamed and derailed the struggle of Kashmiri nationalists, who wanted a united and independent Jammu and Kashmir.
It is declared policy to oppose and defame all those sons of the soil who are genuinely working to establish a united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with liberal and secular society, as it undermines their redundant ideology of Two Nations that Muslims and non-Muslims cannot live in the same country.
If Pakistani government, their secret agencies, their media and their cronies do not oppose our policies and do not make allegations against us, then we pause to examine our policies to see if we are making any mistakes, because if we are on the right track then it is inconceivable that they can stop their nefarious work to malign us and deprecate us.
Some work of the UN Human Rights Council and the NGOs
I know voices of some people criticising the UKPNP are very loud, but their allegations have no substance. Some of the critics have not even seen the building of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva; and their criticism also reveals that they have not read the report. My analyses of the EU Disinfo Lab report is not for these ‘genius people’, who claim to know everything.
What the report says about India and the Indian media is not my concern, or concern of the UKPNP. The report gives details of how many fake organisations were established by one Indian Group; and how ten NGOs were manipulated to challenge the narrative of Pakistan. It must be noted that there are around 1600 NGOs with Consultative Status with the ECOSOC.
Details of all the NGOs are available with their addresses, phone numbers, emails, office bearers and the activities they carry out, so it will be improper for me to defend or give any comments on that. The NGOs and the people connected with those NGOs can decide what to do.
However, it must be noted that not every Tom, Dick and Harry can take part in the proceedings of the UN Human Rights Council; and not everyone can address the Council Sessions and speak in the seminars, briefings and report back sessions held inside the building of the UN. The speakers and other people have to be accredited by the NGOs who have consultative status with the ECOSOC – Economic and Social Council.
Fifty four countries of the UN General Assembly are members of the ECOSOC. They are elected by the General Assembly of the UN, and not by some people of Pakistan and so called Azad Kashmir, who are taking the lead in defaming us and misleading people.
A Committee of the ECOSOC consisting of nineteen countries, after a rigorous examination, decides which NGO should be awarded the Consultative Status. All the applicants have to submit comprehensive reports giving details of their previous three years work in the field of human rights. Authenticity of their work, background of the office bearers and many other matters are closely examined. If any country has any objection on the application that is sufficient to reject that application.
The NGOs have to submit their reports to the Committee and they are accountable for what they do. NGOs make interventions in the full session of the UN Human Rights Council, where permanent members representing the countries are also present, and if there is anything that is not in accordance with the procedures they raise point of order, and generally the Chair gives them priority.
Apart from that, NGOs can make written statements on various item agendas. The Copies of the written statements and interventions are provided in advance. In addition, the NGOs can arrange side events and may invite experts from various countries. Everything is very transparent, and there is a record of all the activities that take place there.
The work of the NGOs is further examined by the very sophisticated and effective mechanism of the UN. This work is supervised by the Chairman of the ECOSOC Committee. In other words, after obtaining the Consultative Status, NGOs are not at liberty to do what they like.
The activities and work of the NGOs is also closely monitored by the countries that may have issues with their work. Nearly all countries have their Diplomatic Missions in Geneva. Diplomats and people belonging to secret agencies of some countries closely monitor the work of such NGOs which give accreditation and floor to the human rights activists who expose their misdeeds and anti-people policies.
Some countries even go to the extent of harassing and intimidating the NGOs and human rights activists. At times, they encourage their staunch supporters to use foul language and threats against these human rights activists to desist them from their work.
Sometimes I get this impression that nearly all the ‘genius’ people of the world are born in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in so-called Azad Kashmir, as they come with such ideas no other person of knowledge can think of.
One such ‘genius’ who is from so called Azad Kashmir, while criticising the UKPNP said in Urdu, and translation of that is:
‘You people are guilty of participating in conferences arranged by India’.
The statement of this ‘genius’ can be interpreted that he has no problem if people participate in conferences arranged by Pakistan. To him, those people who attend conferences arranged by India are ‘traitors’; and those who participate and support the seminars of Pakistan are ‘patriots’.
This genius has not been to the UN Human Rights Sessions. He doesn’t know how the UN mechanism works. When the UN advertises these seminars /conferences they only say that a seminar is organised by so and so NGO. Name of a country is only stated when a country officially holds a conference or a briefing.
OCAPROCE International, is among the credible NGOs with Consultative Status with the ECOSOC. We have attended many seminars arranged by this NGO. They have organised seminars about human rights abuses in Kashmir, human rights in Pakistan and in many other countries.
If the UN Order of Day says: Human Rights in South Asia, a seminar arranged by OCAPROCE International. Room 25, at 15.00; can this ‘genius’ tell us if this is arranged by India or Pakistan.
People attend conferences and seminars in accordance with their time, and by looking at the topic. These seminars and conferences are very informative, and provide an opportunity to delegates to ask questions from the speakers, and give an alternative view.
The UN Human Rights Council or ECOSOC Committee cannot dictate any NGO who to invite, or don’t talk about the situation of so and so country. It is the prerogative of the NGO to decide on what issue they should speak and who to invite, and who would chair the session and so on.
This point was eloquently asserted by the Spokesperson of the UN Human Rights Council, Rolando Gomez. While speaking to the BBC on this issue Rolando Gomez said, ‘it was the prerogative of NGOs to raise whichever issue they wish to address and whoever they grant space to speak on the floor’. "There are no rules stating that an NGO must speak to specific issues. Doing so would amount to infringing on their freedom of speech". 8
Hidden agenda of the EU DisinfoLab
Those who regularly take part in the activities of the UN Human Rights Council know that how Pakistan is controlling and using many NGOs to attack India and advance their agenda in the UN. These NGOs belong to various countries with no direct link to Pakistan or Jammu and Kashmir. In some cases, Pakistani sponsored delegates use Muslim NGOs to attack India, and promote the Pakistan narrative.
If platforms of these NGOs could be used to advance a Pakistani agenda, why do we people of forcibly divided Jammu and Kashmir cannot use platforms of some African or other NGOs?
Dr Charles Graves, a thorough gentleman from Switzerland, and a true human rights defender, always obliged us by providing us accreditation and the platform of Interfaith.
Also, he provided the platform to oppressed people, and this was fiercely opposed by Pakistan and their supporters. It is sad that this NGO became a victim of conspiracies hatched by those who did not like the work he was doing, and his NGO was banned.
Imperialist countries don’t want the oppressed people to unite and fight back. It is imperative that we people of Jammu and Kashmir who are denied our fundamental rights, coordinate with other oppressed people, and support each other.
Impartiality of the EU DisinfoLab can be judged from the fact that they have not spoken about any NGOs which provide a floor to delegates who come to protect and promote the Pakistani narrative on various issues including on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The report of this private NGO – EU DisinfoLab had clear targets. In my opinion the targets were as follows:
1. To defame and embarrass India at the international level.
2. To expose and embarrass activities of the Srivastava Group (SG).
3. To damage the reputation and credibility of Asian News International (ANI).
4. To create fear and panic among the NGOs that they do not provide accreditation and platform to certain people, groups and political parties.
5. To squeeze political and diplomatic space available to the political and human rights activists who expose wrongdoings of Pakistan.
6. Discourage European politicians and academics to participate in seminars and conferences which may have a negative impact on Pakistani narrative.
7. And above all, to protect and enhance interests of Pakistan
How well these targets are achieved is a matter of opinion. Of course there are short term advantages for Pakistan, and disadvantages for others. However, thinking people, Office Bearers of NGOs and leaders of countries are not fools. They know who was behind this report and what were the targets.
Any private NGO can prepare a similar report, provided they have funds and competent staff to investigate and accumulate information related to the set targets. Of course, in these matters when a sovereign government and their secret agencies are involved, and they are always available for help and guidance, it is not too difficult to write a report to discredit others.
The authors of this controversial report acknowledge the following facts:
‘We are well aware – as it is the case for every investigation – that our work will be used and recuperated by those who have an interest in seeing it published. In this case, probably Pakistani authorities’. 9
So they clearly know that Pakistan will benefit from this report and they can give any twist they like to the information to advance their agenda and attack rivals and political and human rights activists.
The authors of this report further concede that:
‘Let us bear in mind that it is not because one side uses dodgy influence campaigns that the other side does not: A simple Google search will lead you to read about inauthentic behaviours supporting Pakistani interests’. 10
This is a clear admission that Pakistan and their media also uses ‘dodgy’ and ‘inauthentic’ materials to advance the Pakistani interests, but the authors decided not to expose Pakistan. One wonders why this soft heart for Pakistan?
The authors of this report confess that:
‘More importantly, our investigation is in no way a judgement of the situation of human rights in Pakistan, nor should it serve to undermine the credibility of minority movements in Pakistan. Our report simply shines a light on how Indian stakeholders have used these issues to serve their own interests’. 11
It is a clear confession that human rights activists and politicians who expose wrongdoings of Pakistan, be they related to Jammu and Kashmir or other minorities are not incorrect. They are not undermining ‘the credibility of minority movements in Pakistan’.
I have outlined targets of the report above. The authors of the report while targeting attacking Srivastava Group, ANI and the ‘fake NGOs’ also mentioned names of three human rights and political activists of Jammu and Kashmir, namely Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Jamil Maqsood and Junaid Qureshi.
These names were mentioned in the context of ANI’s role. The human rights defenders mentioned above, and others who made interventions or made speeches were reported by the ANI, as it suited them.
For example, when a delegate makes an intervention, the name of the NGO and the name of the delegate is mentioned. His political affiliation is never mentioned. The ANI, in its report may mention Shaukat Kashmiri, Chairman of UKPNP while making intervention under item agenda and so said……
The news agencies and reporters give twist to the stories which suit them. The person making the statement or intervention has no role in that. We cannot dictate how they should do their work, and what headlines should be made.
These names were mentioned in that context. But those who wanted to defame these human rights activists and political leaders, without thinking and without reading the report made allegations that they were part of this scam, and that they were supported by India.
Some stalwarts of the agencies and Pakistan were so enthusiastic that they included two more names: Professor Sajjad Raja and Dr Amjad Mirza, even though their names did not appear in the original report.
Some IT specialists, who probably work for the secret agencies, even inserted photos of those who were present in those seminars, and tried to give this impression that they were also part of the report and the scam.
Conclusion
It is not my concern if this private NGO report has hit all the targets I have mentioned above. Also, it is not my worry that the impact of this report will dissipate within a few weeks.
The report says the ANI is "South Asia's leading multimedia news agency, with more than 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe". It was established in 1971. Allegation is that ANI, by using its network, publishes anti Pakistan and anti-China reports.
What a crime? Perhaps authors of the report expect an Indian news agency to produce anti India and pro Pakistan and pro-China reports. One may ask, do Pakistani news agencies and media publish anti Pakistan and pro India reports?
Let us leave this illogical point and move on. I want to point that the main targets of the report were:
· The Srivastava Group
· Asian News International
· Fake NGOs
· The citizens of Jammu and Kashmir named in this report did not establish the Srivastava Group;
· They did not establish the Asian News International. Junaid Qureshi was born many years after 1971, when the ANI was established.
· They did not use or re-establish any of the ‘fake’ NGOs mentioned in the report.
In view of this, what crime have Shaukat Kashmiri, Jamil Maqsood and Junaid Qureshi committed?
Is expressing love and affection for the homeland a crime?
Is defending the rights of citizens a crime?
Is promoting equality and rule of law a crime?
Is exposing hypocrisy and wrong doings a crime?
Is speaking for the rights of all citizens a crime?
Is promoting democratic, liberal and secular ideals a crime?
This is what these people do in Geneva, and no matter what critics say, they will continue to do this work, which is close to their hearts.
In Geneva, they interact with other delegates, diplomats, the UN officials, lobby people, organise demonstrations, hold press briefings, arrange side events, and seminars. I wonder since when all this has become a crime that these people are vindicated and a state apparatus is working hard to defame these people.
Shams Rehman, an author, journalist and a TV anchor has done a TV programme on JKTV, and analysed this report. It was a difficult topic, but he has done a reasonably good job by maintaining his neutrality. He did this programme before listening to the Haqeeqat TV report on this scam. I wonder what he might have said in view of the revelation that Dr Shahid Masood was behind this report. 12
The Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people."
While I was preparing this report, a close friend told me that those who are actively and deliberately misleading people have added more names to the list, and have sent it to WhatsApp groups. Among the new names include the name of Tariq Khan, a senior leader of the UKPNP.
It means those who sponsored this report, they have activated their network of proxies, and they are now disseminating these lies to defame the UKPNP. No matter what Islam says, these proxies and their masters will do everything against the teaching of Islam, and when things will go wrong, they will blame India, Israel, America and others, and will call it a conspiracy against Pakistan and Islam, because they have nuclear weapons.
To these people, my humble request is, please do not tell lies; and don’t build your case on fabricated evidence. Very soon the truth will prevail and you will be exposed.
We are not against any country. Our struggle is peaceful and for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir and the region. Let us bury the politics of hatred and intolerance. Let us cooperate with each other for peace and stability of South Asia. Let us respect human values, fundamental rights of all people, and honour the dignity of all people.
Dr Shabir Choudhry
President Foreign Affairs Committee, United Kashmir People’s National Party
Email: Drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
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Reference:
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-55232432
2. Ibid
3. https://www.firstpost.com/india/eu-disinfo-lab-report-pakistan-circulating-fabricated-dossiers-purveys-regular-stream-of-fake-news-says-mea-9103311.html
4. Ibid
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5S_wjgHEVw
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-55232432
7. Interview of Nasir Aziz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2O77XcTd0E
8. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-55232432
10. Ibid
11. Ibid
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