British MPs and human rights activists express concern over human rights violations in Pakistan and Indian-administered Kashmir
Dr. Akhtar Gulfam, Director News Dawn TV + Editor-in-chief Daily Dawn
London: A conference was organized by the UK House of Commons Committee No. 10 on the human rights situation in both Pakistan and Indian-administered Kashmir. The event was hosted by United Kashmir People’s National Party and Labour Party member of the House of Commons Richard Burgoyne.
The conference was held on an occasion when the assembly of Indian-administered Kashmir recently passed a resolution demanding New Delhi to restore the special status of the disputed region. It is believed that pressure is increasing on the Indian government regarding this restoration as the Congress and other parties have also supported the restoration.
On the other hand, several such steps are being taken by the government in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that are being openly criticized by human rights activists and Kashmiri politicians.
Speaking at the event, Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton said it was a matter of great regret that the Kashmir issue still exists after decades. Addressing the audience, he said, “Your struggle is for justice and the presence of the MPs here shows that they are with you.”
Fabian Hamilton said that as long as there is not a single oppressed person in the world or not a single person in the world is free, this world is not free.
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough in the UK, said that the Kashmir issue is a very important issue for the voters of his area. “I know that the fundamental freedoms and rights of the people are being affected by this issue. We have a historic responsibility to play our part in resolving this issue.”
Birmingham MP Muhammad Ayub said that Kashmir can be compared to the Palestine issue. “Kashmir is a militarized or militant-affected area where political activists are imprisoned and the rights of the people are taken away.”
Mohammad Ayub reminded the UK that the world considers them a beacon of hope. “The British Parliament is considered a beacon of light,” he says. “There is a need to not only approve UN resolutions but also implement them effectively.”
According to Mohammad Ayub, in addition, the decisions of the International Court of Justice should also be strictly implemented to help oppressed nations.
The British MP assured the audience that the British Parliament will do whatever it can to resolve the issue.
Independent MP Iqbal Muhammad from Dewsbury said that many of his voters are from Indian-administered Kashmir, where he says injustices and atrocities are being committed. “But the British government has not played as effective a role in resolving the issue as it should have,” he said.
Juneed Qureshi, a military expert from the Netherlands, said there was no doubt that India had made serious mistakes in the Kashmir issue. “But it should not be forgotten that India was invited to the disputed region by the rulers there, while Pakistan occupied parts of Kashmir,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, United Kashmir People’s National Party Chairman Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that his party supports the resolution passed in the assembly of Indian-administered Kashmir. “We demand that all parts of Kashmir be unified. Its special status be restored.”