The British Parliament opened its doors to an extremely successful conference on the 17th October.
The important event’s focus was ‘discussing the unfair clampdown by India as an occupational force in Jammu and Kashmir; while condemning the ongoing human rights violations, again, by Indian security forces in the region’.
This major session was organised by the Tehreek-e-Kashmir’s United Kingdom chapter. The event was co-chaired by British Labour MP Jess Phillips, TeK president Raja Fahim Kayani.
His Excellency President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan was a chief guest and the speaker in this important conference; with many key names also taking part during the valuable session.
Immigration Shadow Minister Mr Afzal Khan MP; and the Labour Party’s deputy leader Tom Watson; Naz Shah, Muhammad Yasin, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Jonathan Word, Cheryl Gillian, Paula Sharif, John Cryer, Lisa Forbes, Steve McCabe, Kate Hollern, Steve Baker, Rupa Huq, Valerie Vaz, Trace Brabin, Liam Byrne, Liz McInnes, Imran Hussain, Shabana Mahmood, Rosie Duffield, John Speller, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Abdul Rashid Turabi, Colleen Fletcher, Ruth Smeeth, Jim McCahon, Judith Cummins, Kerry McCarthy, Stella Gracey, Roger Gadstiff and many other respectable names also highlighted the importance of the issue, while urging for immediate action for the human rights of the Indian Occupied Kashmiris.
A very powerful message has once more been delivered by His Excellency President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, pointing to a fact that, ‘The unfair clampdown by India as an occupational force in Jammu and Kashmir threatens the world peace! If the unfairness continues, the regional peace, hence the world peace will be in high risk… Because, both sides (Pakistan and India) have Nuclear power. The international community should take this fact very seriously! While war itself is dangerous enough; an additional risk of a nuclear war is an extremely dangerous matter to risk. Not only for the region but for the world peace, all the countries indeed need to sort this issue out’.
Warning of a genocide into the making in the IOK (Indian Occupied Kashmir) area, AJK President S Masood Khan urged the international community ‘’to build pressure on Indian administration and to insist on a swift United Nations Security Council resolution with regards to IOK.
Pointing to the importance of the conference, Immigration Shadow Minister Mr Afzal Khan assured everyone that ‘the hard work will continue with a hope to see peace, prosperity and freedom is restored in the Kashmir region’
During the session, while pointing that “Human rights violations are an international matter” Labour Party’s deputy leader and former defence minister Tom Watson added: “It is time for the Kashmir dispute to be resolved with the consent of the Kashmiris, who are the main stakeholders.”
Alongside the other key names such as, Hurriyat leader and Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) Altaf Ahmad Bhat expressing their valuable views on this powerful session on Indian Occupied Kashmir; AJK Chairman Public Accounts Committee Abdul Rashid Turabi also reminded about ‘how Indian state terrorism had separated thousands of families by forcing Kashmiris to migrate since 1947’.
Adding to his statement Turabi said: ‘India is putting the entire South Asian region at risk by delaying the settlement… It is the responsibility of the global community, to pressurise India for a permanent solution.’
In summary, the Article 370 acknowledges the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of autonomy and its ability to formulate laws for the state's permanent residents. The article allowed the state a certain amount of autonomy - its own constitution, a separate flag and freedom to make laws. Foreign affairs, defence and communications remained the preserve of the central government.
But since the 5 August 2019, the Government of India revoked the article 370 hence the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir Valley was immediately placed under lockdown with all communication lines cut and political leaders placed under house arrest; while human rights abuses intensified by the Indian security forces, particularly towards the protesters and the vulnerable Kashmiri residents.
As the fragile situation in IOK continue threatening the world peace, the concerned voice of the international community is also rising towards ensuring stability in the region.