PRESS RELEASE
“.......do more by adopting purposeful policy on Kashmir”
“Intended demographic change destroys nations”
London; 7 December 2019: In continuing its International Human Rights Day commemoration in the major capitals of Europe, Organisation of Kashmir Coalition (OKC) hosted another interactive dialogue seminar at London.
Barrister A Majid Tramboo (Executive Member of OKC and European Director of IHRAAM) moderating the seminar, reminded the participants about the on going self – determination movement of the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir remembering huge sacrifices, in terms of being martyred, tortured, molested and raped, arrest and detention; and being deprived of all the basic needs of living including right to food, health care, right assembly and freedom of expression. He highlighted the legal angle of the Jammu and Kashmir issue under the International law linking it with the United Nations very specific resolutions on Kashmir. He emphasised that any abrogation of the domestic legal framework by the Indian government does not change the international recognised legal position on the Kashmir issue. Barrister Tramboo further emphasised that the international community in general and the newly elected United Kingdom (UK) government in particular must do more by adopting purposeful policy on Kashmir. Whereas Barrister Tramboo agreed that much vigorous advocacy is required within the UK policy makers however, the UK’s new upcoming government need to focus on Kashmiris human rights (including the existing blockade) and their right to self-determination outweighing any trade obligations with India. Barrister Tramboo concluded by declaring to run a high-profile advocacy and diplomacy, spearheaded by Prof Nazir A Shawl, with the assistance of MPs during the calendar year 2020.
Councillor Raja Aslam (the Labour Party) in his presentation remembered the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Human Rights Day who have been subjected to gross human rights violations over the years and in particular locked down since 5 August 2019, when the government of India abrogated its own constitution articles 35A and 370. He advocated that young Kashmiris should come forward in the mainstream British political arena to push forward the Kashmir issue at the right forums as the numbers matter. Councillor Aslam agreed that, following the 12 December 2019 British general elections and whichever party forms the government, the Kashmir advocacy within the UK has to be strategised to bring Kashmir on the high agenda of the UK government.
Mr Graham Williamson (Chairman Executive Board – Nations Without States) in his intervention emphasised the need to have flow of information from the occupied territory to share the same with all the concerned including media and human rights organisations. Analysing India’s actions in Kashmir, Mr Williamson believes that the government of India has learnt, over the years, from other oppressive regimes how to subjugate a nation like Kashmiris. Referring to the abrogation of articles 370 and 35A, he remarked that it has been done with the purpose to effect the demography change in Kashmir and that “demographic change is intended to destroy nations”. Mr Williamson, in his conclusion, appealed that all of us to stand united for “self- determination” to stop oppressive regimes from destroying nations.
Following the interventions from the panellists, the seminar received contributions from the Floor. Mr Ayub Rathore (President – Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, UK & Europe) emphasised the need for all the stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue with Kashmiris as it is people of Kashmir who suffer by keeping the Kashmir issue in abeyance. Mr Mooen Yasin (Managing Director – Global Vision 2000) believes, as the matters stand and the present Hindutva government in India, the probable military intervention backed by diplomacy appears to be the possible solution. Mr Zubair Awan (Chair – Kashmir Youth Assembly) stressed that Kashmiris must remain engaged with the United Nations and other inter-governmental organisation and continue push forward the Kashmiris right to self- determination.
The seminar was attended by academics, journalists, politicians, and non – governmental organisations.
