UK
Widespread reactions to Keir Starmers Kashmir stance
London: Richard Burgon MP: I stand with the Kashmiri people in demanding an end to occupation. This is a crucial part of standing up for social justice and for an ethical foreign policy and it’s what the Emergency Motion passed at Labour’s conference last year calls for.
Tea for Kashmir – Let Kashmir Decide : Humans are being tortured this cannot be a bilateral issue! @Keir_Starmer be ashamed, very ashamed! @liambyrnemp @Debbie_abrahams , @Afzal4Gorton, @paulbristow79, @marcolonghi, @nazir_lord, @lisanandy Please say & do something Folded hands #LetKashmirDecide #FreeKashmir.
Masood Khan: I urge @Debbie_abrahams , Chair All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, to meet Labour Leader Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer to explain full perspective of the Kashmir issue. We don’t want Labour to imperil its vital interests but Kashmir is about UN-backed self-determination.
Debbie Abrahams MP: I am pleased to say that I will be meeting with Keir and Labour MPs next week via video conference to discuss Kashmir. I will report back following this meeting.
Cllr Baber Baz: Absolutely disgraceful steps taken by the Labour party leader.Shame on every Kashmiri member of the Labour party for being in a party that has shown a total disregard for the people of Jammu Kashmir.Labour party.
Masood Khan: This statement has been issued at a time when Kashmiris are under a siege for 9 months. Thousands of young men,including teenagers and children,are in concentration camps; youth is being mowed down every day; and India has imposed domicile rules to grab Kashmiris’ jobs and land. Source Tribune: @tribunemagazine · By folding to a pressure campaign orchestrated by the far-right BJP government, Keir Starmer’s statement on Kashmir today not only betrayed Labour members – it abandoned a people living under brutal oppression. https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/04/starmer-turns-his-back-on-kashmir
Owen Jones: Kashmir is a matter for the Kashmiri people, not the Indian Parliament. Labour should support national self-determination and human rights unequivocally. https://twitter.com/siennamarla/status/1255813593934761984
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Masood Khan: We thank you @OwenJones84 for your clear an strong voice; and a just stand.
Salma Yaqoob: Keir Starmer is seeking to strengthen ties with lobbyists for a nakedly divisive Indian government led by Modi, who until he was elected President, was not allowed into the UK for his role in the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat. By backing the regime Starmer is increasing not reducing divisions in the UK.It is astonishing that Starmer is overturning a resolution passed by members at the national Labour Party conference. One which simply upheld UN resolutions which confirm the rights of Kashmiris to self determination. It rightly condemned India’s revocation of the few protections Kashmiris had, even whilst enduring decades long occupation, and called for international monitors.India’s violation of UN resolutions makes the issue an international one, and not one just relevant to the Indian Parliament.
As a lawyer, Keir Starmer will be well aware of this. As a politician he is sending a signal that he is more interested in appeasing lobbyists for a right wing Islamophobic government than respecting democracy within the Party. It shows a callous disregard for the suffering of Kashmiris, and it shows a contempt for party members of Kashmiri and Pakistani origin, thousands of whom have relatives suffering under brutal occupation. And it shows a contempt for thousands of Muslim, Kashmiri and Pakistani origin voters who have supported the Labour Party loyally for decades. The motion itself was a first after decades of struggle by BAME activists to be heard. Starmer should be seeking to build ties with those who have been already marginalised. For years these communities have been patronised – politicians are keen to speak at rallies in the communities declaring their support for the Kashmiris, and in getting their votes with promises of speaking up in the corridors of power. But once again it seem communities being taken for granted.
The appeasement of the so-called Labour Friends of India needs to be condemned. Its allies campaigned against the Labour Party in the General election, called for votes for the Conservative Party and used divisive Whatsapp messages promoting anti-Muslim hatred in the UK. Many British Hindus were appalled by such tactics and it is also divisive to imply the Labour Friends of India represents British Indian Hindus. These are not Labour Party values.
Starmer may have been cynically strategic in appointing a handful of MPs from Pakistani and Kashmiri backgrounds to junior shadow ministerial positions. I hope that their public silence till now is owing only to the shock of the betrayal of basic human rights and decency, and not out of fear for their positions. It’s time for all Labour MPs, councillors and members to be united in speaking up.
Media cell JKLF UK :It is truly baffling that at a time when governments, political organisations, UN institutions and human rights bodies from across the world are challenging Modi’s regime for the crimes against humanity it has been committing in Jammu Kashmir, Labour leader Keir Starmer goes completely against Labour values & traditions to support a hard-right gover. Labour Party has always stood for human rights,human liberties, freedom,peace and it’s traditions are truly internationlistic. So it is astonishing how Keir Starmer has backtracked on Labour’s commitment for resolution of Jammu Kashmir in accordance with the wishes of people of Jammu Kashmir.
Jammu Kashmir is internationally recognised and longest running dispute in the world. It is the most militarised zone in the world, and the people of Jammu Kashmir have been subjected to worst kind of oppression over last 7 decades in broad daylight. Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed, thousands of families have been destroyed, generation after generation of Kashmiris have witnessed nothing but unending oppression by Indian Forces. United Nations has made a commitment to people of Jammu Kashmir to resolve this issue through a free and fair referendum, so it is by no means a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, or an issue for Indian Parliament. It is particularly disrespectful to say so, when it is being said for the sake of a few thousand votes and completely disregarding what people of Jammu Kashmir are subjected to on daily basis.
The very least people of Jammu Kashmir deserve is support from international community for their unfettered right of self-determination and an end to illegal occupation of Jammu Kashmir. It is hugely disappointing that Keir Starmer has chosen to support a far-right regime with fascistic ideology and tendencies over people of Jammu Kashmir, who have essentially been living under a torturous lockdown for 72 years.
Socialists of Colour:Today, Socialists of Colour stand in full solidarity with the people of Kashmir in the Labour Party and beyond following Keir Starmer’s comments that Kashmir is a “bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve…” Given Britain’s colonial history in India – which set the grounds for partition and subsequently Kashmir becoming a disputed region – we believe that Kashmir is an international issue.We cannot turn our backs on the human rights abuses of which are so severe that Genocide Watch released an alert over Kashmir.
Kashmir is one of the most militarised zones in the world. There are thousands of rape cases, enforced disappearances, mass and unmarked graves and disgraceful acts of violence against children, women and men. The draconian media blackout – reportedly one of the longest shutdowns in a democracy – takes away any remaining autonomy Kashmiris have. The blackout may have eased, but the media still remains under strict control.
We are concerned for the human rights of the people of Kashmir and believe they should be given the right to the plebiscite, which they were promised, and as a result, self-determination.
Labour must not turn it’s back on Kashmiris and must condemn the rise of fascism in India. To turn our backs as a Party is appalling and goes against our socialist values of internationalism.
We call on the Party to reflect and stand in solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Zubeda Khan: I am writing to convey my profound regrets on the extremely disappointing stance Labour leader, Sir Kier Starmer has taken in the conference call with Friends of India and the joint statement issued afterwards.
It is truly baffling that at a time when governments, international political organizations, UN institutions and human rights bodies from across the world are challenging Modi’s regime for the oppression in Kashmir, Labour leader goes completely against Labour values & traditions to support a right wing regime.
Labour Party has always stood for human rights, civil liberties, national freedoms, international peace with truly internationlistic outlook, Kashmir is now being made an exception. It is astonishing how you and Angela have taken part in an excerise where Keir Starmer has backtracked on Labour’s commitment for resolution of the world’s longest running conflict, where thousands of lives have been lost due to opressive regimes in India and Pakistan.
Kashmir still is internationally recognised world’s most militarized zone in the world, and the people of Jammu Kashmir have been subjected to worst kind of oppression over last 7 decades, which has been documented by many international organisations including the office of the UN human rights commissioner.
Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed, thousands of families have been displaced or destroyed in the recent years, generation after generation of Kashmiris have witnessed nothing but unending oppression including 8 months of military lockdown since 5th of August last year and you have chosen to call it India’s constitutional matter against the spirit of the emergency resolution passed by party conference.
This issue is in the United Nation’s security council, which met 3 times in one year alone over it.
Labour Party’s commitment to help people of Jammu Kashmir to resolve this issue through a free and fair referendum is now in perils, becuase by sayning that its a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and that its for Indian Parliament to resolve is totally against our internationalist values and betrays the trust put in you through the election contest .
It is particularly disturbing that in order to win a couple of thousand votes Labour leader is prepared to ditch all principles of justice and human rights issues.
The very least people of Jammu Kashmir deserve is support from an internationalist party to their unfettered right of self-determination and an end to illegal occupation.
It is hugely disappointing that Sir Keir Starmer is chosing to support a far-right Indian regime with fascist ideology, which has broken all previous records of human rights abuses in the region. It is time to rethink and re_evaluate the damage this will cause to the Labour Party in terms of your election next time.
Rana Shama Nazir: This is Starmers letter to a facist Hindu party in UK, which indicates a policy shift on Kashmir soon… Labour members need to take note and act accordingly in their branches and constituencies and start passing resolutions to protest against a party shift away from right of self-determination.
Cllr Mohammed Yaseen Hussain (Billa): The issue of Kashmir has seen the Kashmiri Muslim people suffer with not only the loss of life but blatant atrocities and discrimination towards Muslim Kashmiris.
I put forward a motion to the Labour party conference during last years conference which was also circulated yo the CLP’s around the country.
I would urge the new Leader of the Labour party to look carefully into this issue and open up dialogue with the Indian government for the plight and long suffering of the Kashmiri people on humanitarian grounds.
I urge the British government and the Labour party to take a serious stance in helping to resolve this issue and put an end to the suffering of the people of Kashmir.
Iqtidar Cheema: It is such a shame to have U turn as Kashmiris always supported this party. Labour has no meritorious criteria for anything. The party just follow populism nothing else.
Syed Saeed Ahmed: Shame for Labour party.While the Americans are pushing for sanctions on India UK is supporting illegal acts of Indian Govt. MPs should show resistance on this issue.
Raja Nawaz Khan: Starmer is red Tory.There’s no real difference between Red or Blue at the moment really disappointed us Kashmiris calling Kashmir a constitutional issue for India What message does this send to Muslims? Kashmiris have had their human rights swept away by Modi’s Govt
Masood Khan: Yes, absolutely.This biased, partial view has costs. We all welcomed @keirstarmer .He needs a fresh brief on #Kashmir, with text of UN Charter’s Article 103 included. As permanent member of Security Council, it’s UK’s obligation to resolve issues impinging on peace and security.
Mirza Waheed: The future of Kashmir can only be decided by the people of Kashmir. I’m shocked to hear the Labour leader callously disregard the agency of millions of long-suffering Kashmiris. Mr Starmer ought to know that Kashmir is a bloody legacy of the British empire.
Seema Chandwani: Pitiful. One minute we’re internationalists and next minute we’re not. This is desperately poor and not in my name as an Indian Hindu. @NazShahBfd, @Afzal4Gorton, @TanDhesi, @SadiqKhan, I hope you have words with @Keir_Starmer on this weak meaningless position
Sienna Rodgers: NEW: Starmer met with Labour Friends of India, said: “We must not allow issues of the sub-continent to divide communities here. Any constitutional issues in India are a matter for the Indian Parliament, & Kashmir is a bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve peacefully.”
Carol: Replying to @SeemaChandwani, @NazShahBfd, and 4 others
What is the difference between what Starmer is saying now & what Ian Lavery’s letter said last year? I support the position of the conference motion, self-determination is essential for Kashmir, & HR abuses must be called out, but is what Starmer is saying now really new?
Warwick Labour: We condemn in the strongest terms the statement made by @Keir_Starmer that the freedom of the Kashmiri people is a “constitutional issue in India” that is “a matter for the Indian Parliament” controlled by the fascistic BJP regime. This is tantamount to appeasement.
Faiza Shaheen: Really confusing statement- if we stand for the “defence of human rights everywhere” then we wouldn’t be backtracking on Kashmir position. This is a slippery slope.
Labour Press Team:“Britons of Indian origin contribute so much to the UK and to the Labour Party. I’m committed to working closely with Labour Friends of India to rebuild trust with the community.” – @Keir_Starmer.
Seema Chandwani: This is not inline with the motion unanimously passed at Conference @Keir_Starmer – on what basis have you made this statement? As an Indian Hindu member LFI aren’t even affiliated, who do they speak for? Not me.
LabourList: NEW: Keir Starmer repositions Labour on Kashmiri conflict after meeting with Labour Friends of India: https://bit.ly/2YqKy5I
Salma Yaqoob: How about rebuilding trust with thousands of Labour members whose relatives suffer brutal Indian govt occupation? The right of Kashmiris to self determination is enshrined in UN resolutions. India’s violation of that makes it an INTERNATIONAL issue. As a lawyer, Keir knows this.
Labour Press Team: “Britons of Indian origin contribute so much to the UK and to the Labour Party. I’m committed to working closely with Labour Friends of India to rebuild trust with the community.” – @Keir_Starmer.
Councillor Mohammed Aikhlaq MBE: Kashmir is a disputed territory and the people of Kashmir should be given the right of self -determination in accordance with UN resolution.Accordance with article 370 Jammu and Kashmir is not a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan ,The international community needs to take responsibility .#freekashmir
Mirza Waheed: The future of Kashmir can only be decided by the people of Kashmir. I’m shocked to hear the Labour leader callously disregard the agency of millions of long-suffering Kashmiris. Mr Starmer ought to know that Kashmir is a bloody legacy of the British empire.
Javed Iqbal: Leaderships remarks to a Kashmiri are not acceptable. Kier starmer needs to rethink his intentions and his remarks. #Humanity.
JKLF 4 Independence: momentuminternationalists.org/2020/05/01/don
Indians for Labour: We know about #KeirStarmer‘s dismissal of #Kashmiri self-determination. Now we know what the #Israeli establishment thinks of him. #KeirStarmer is 14 on this list top50proisraelinfluencers.com
https://twitter.com/LFINupdates/status/1255810926110019589?s=20
Indians for Labour: We know about #KeirStarmer‘s dismissal of #Kashmiri self-determination. Now we know what the #Israeli establishment thinks of him. #KeirStarmer is 14 on this list 2020’s Top 50 Zionist Digital Influencers, 2020’s Top 50 Zionist Digital Influencers, top50proisraelinfluencers.com
Subramanian Swamy :Labour changes stance, says won’t interfere in Kashmir, other Indian affairs as it starts to repair ties toi.in/aFj4tZ/a24gj via @timesofindia
: The power of essentially Hindu unity abroad: Swamy
Labour declares it will not interfere in Kashmir, other Indian affairs as it starts to repair ties…UK News: LONDON: Labour leader Keir Starmer has declared his party will not meddle in Kashmir or in any of India’s constitutional affairs as he begins to repai.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sajjad Raja : We welcome Keir Starmer commitment to reposition Labour Party stand on Kashmir. LP lost just approach on J&K under predecessor leaders & the party ‘d become a Pakistani puppet rather than supporting basic human rights of J&K people. We hope to see a pro people approach from LP.
Read More: https://labourlist.org/2020/04/keir-starmer-repositions-labour-on-kashmiri-conflict/
1-https://labour.org.uk/press/keir-starmer-takes-first-steps-to-rebuild-links-with-the-indian-community/
2- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-i-won-t-be-defined-by-our-past-leaders-a4429356.html
