Kashmiris yet again knock UN doors to hold India accountable for broken promises

Geneva – As the world leaders gathered in New York to attend 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Kashmiri activists under the umbrella of Tehreek-e-Kashmir Italy and Kashmir delegation Geneva gathered outside the UNHRC in Geneva pressing the world’s largest multi-national body to hold India accountable for brutal violation of international law.

The Kashmir demonstration led by Ch Muhammad Yasin, AJK lawmaker; Altaf Hussain Wani, In charge Kashmir delegation Geneva; Fahim Kayani, president Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Mehmood Sharif Senior Vice President Tehreek e Kashmir Europe and Ch Babar Warriach President Tehreek e Kashmir Italy was held in front of the headquarters of UN Human Rights Council at the broken chair Geneva, urging international community to fulfil its promises made with people of Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIoJK).

The UNGA is holding its 77th session and UNHRC is holding its regular and last session of this year from 12 September to 07 October in Geneva at its headquarter in Geneva.

Fahim Kayani, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK said engagement on Kashmir in and outside of the UN is part of the struggle to attain right to self-determination.

“These demonstrations are part of the larger process of a freedom movement,” Kayani said, urging international intervention to halt the brazen violation of universal human rights in IIoJK.

He said the fascist Indian military regime in IIoJK was moving fast to change the demography in the UN-designated disputed region which is violation of the Geneva Conventions.

“Documentation and submission of these violations to relevant offices at the UN are a must to hold India accountable,” Kayani, a young face of Kashmiri activism in Europe said.

Altaf Hussain Wani, who leads Kashmir Delegation in Geneva, called for a sustained engagement with international bodies to highlight war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed by Indian military regime in IIoJK.

“A well-designed and well-sustained campaign is a must; there has to be a regulated, wholesome engagement with the UN system, European Union and its institutions,” said Wani.

The Kashmiri leader also called on the UN and UNHRC to wake up to the reality and act before international community loses its trust in the multi-national body.

“Kashmir is a ripe for solution; what is needed is mere action by the UN,” said Wani, urging unbiased approach to conflicts.

Kashmiri Lawmaker Ch Muhammad Yasin said the Ukraine crisis has brought war home to Europeans which “may help them understand the suffering of Kashmiris in IIoJK.”

“The way Europeans are expressing their solidarity and support for Ukrainians has to be used as an opportunity to tell our suffering to the outer world,” said Yasin.

Yasin also called out hypocrisy of the western world for having double standards on Kashmir and Ukraine. “While Kashmiris are being called terrorists for their armed resistance against illegal military occupation, same Europeans are arming Ukrainians to fight against Russia,” Yasin said.

However, he said: “besides the geo-political connotations behind it, many Europeans do not fully know why Kashmiris are fighting India. It basically puts a lot of responsibility on diaspora to reach out to these people and make them aware about the resistance fought by Kashmiris in IIoJK.”

Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, a Kashmiri leader, raised the issue of continuous illegal arrest of All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leadership in IIoJK.

“The arrest of Hurriyat leaders by India has no basis; their arrest is a slap on international justice lovers as the foundations of the APHC are on justice, liberty and equality and UN resolutions,” he said.

Sardar Amjad Yousaf, a member of Kashmir delegation Geneva “The international mechanisms should work devoid of geo-political interests of certain powerful nations,” .

Yousaf pointed out that the Indian military regime in IIoJK had launched an all-out attack on Muslims of Kashmir. “Now, the Muslims students are forced to sign Hindu hymns in schools… this is a direct challenge to Muslim faith which should be a global concern,” he said.

Mehmood Sharif, senior vice president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir Europe , Ch Babar Warriach, president Tehreek-e-Kashmir Italy, Shamim Shawl , Professor Shagofta Pervaiz Advocate , Zafar Qureshi , Dr Sahira , Barrister Nadia ,Hasan ul Bana and others in a joint statement called for strengthening grass roots movement in Europe regarding Kashmir.

“The Europeans value justice, equality and liberty and people express solidarity with Kashmiris when they hear tales of sorrow and grief,” the duo said. “Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora need to come together in Europe and formulate a well-scripted plans for holding programs, reaching out to native people and explaining the issue to them.”