Right to Self-Determination Day: End Violence and Suppression of Kashmiris By Occupying Forces -World Kashmir Awareness Forum Calls on United Nations to Bring Peaceful Resolution to the Crisis-
Washington, D.C. (January 5, 2021) – The World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKA) issued the following statement in recognition of the Right to Self-Determination Day.
“Today, we join in solidarity with Kashmiris in the diaspora and throughout the world to recognize the Right to Self-Determination Day. On January 5, 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan adopted a resolution that guaranteed Kashmir’s right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite. We call on the United Nations to reinforce the commitment made to the indigenous people of Kashmir and on the international community to support our brothers and sisters for a free and fair plebiscite in Indian-occupied Kashmir and Jammu.
For more than 75 years, the civilian population, including men, women and children of Jammu & Kashmir have faced systematic persecution at the hands of Indian forces. For far too long, our people have suffered under Indian occupation. With increased violence, sexual assaults, unlawful imprisonment being used to censor Kashmiri voices, we need the United Nations to make good on the commitment to the people of Kashmir to institute peaceful resolutions and self-determination. We ask that the international community stand against India’s cruel oppression of our people and help us to uplift indigenous calls for a free Jammu & Kashmir.
We are incredibly proud to be Kashmiri-Americans and for the efforts that are being done on the ground and across the world by activists, journalists and scholars to bring awareness to this critical issue. We will forever stand with the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
About WKA (the World Kashmir Awareness Forum)
Founded in 2005, the World Kashmir Awareness Forum is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on providing information on the conflict in Kashmir and advocating for Kashmiris in the region and throughout the diaspora. To accomplish its mission, World Kashmir Awareness Forum produces, aggregates and amplifies news articles and events relevant to the region, organizes and participates in demonstrations and rallies, and engages in advocacy efforts with diplomatic, civic, religious, human rights, political and advocacy organizations, confronting the human rights abuses perpetrated in Kashmir and supporting the region’s right to self-determination. Learn more at kashmirawareness.org.
