India is continuously snatching the basic human rights of Kashmiris for the past 76 years: Ali Raza Syed

BRUSSELS, Feb 19 (SABAH): A graceful ceremony held in Sheffield (UK) in honour of Chairman Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU) Ali Raza Syed for receiving a human rights award from a reputable Pakistani organization.

The event organized by Syed Muhammad Kazmi, a prominent social and business personality based in Sheffield was attended by important personalities of Pakistani and Kashmiri origin in the UK, including former members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Dr. Sajjad Haider Karim and Shafaq Muhammad, and former Lord Mayor of Sheffield Raja Qurban Hussain.

It should be remembered that during its annual award ceremony in Islamabad in December last year, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan honored Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed with a human rights award for his humanitarian services at the international level, especially in Europe for highlighting the rights of the oppressed Kashmiris.

Participants of the reception held in Sheffield in honor of Ali Raza Syed congratulated him on receiving the human rights award and extended their well wishes to him.

Former Member of European Parliament Sajjad Karim paid tribute to Chairman of Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed for his struggle supporting peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue and raising voice in favour of the rights of oppressed Kashmiris. He said that Ali Raza Syed is rendering selfless services at the European Headquarters in Brussels. It is as a result of his tireless work that he is recognized in the European institutions regarding the struggle for the Kashmir issue.

Another former member of the European Parliament Shafaq Muhammad, who is now a member of the Sheffield City Council, said that he had seen Ali Raza Syed’s struggle for the oppressed Kashmiris during his membership in the European Parliament. Chair of KCEU is really doing a lot for the freedom movement of Kashmir and we appreciate his efforts, he added.
Former Lord Mayor Sheffield Raja Qurban Hussain also appreciated the efforts of Chairman Kashmir Council EU and said that I had heard about Ali Raza Syed’s struggle for Kashmir and I am very happy to meet him today.

Syed Mohammad Kazmi, the host of the event and a long time friend of Ali Raza Syed, said that Ali Raza Syed has been struggling to highlight the issue of Kashmir and supporting the oppressed people of Occupied Kashmir since his college days. He said that the human rights award for Ali Raza Syed is a true recognition of his efforts for Kashmir issue in Europe and we are proud of his struggle.

Other speakers included Nily Khan, Anila Aslam and Muhammad Javed, while Fahim Malik performed as a stage secretary.

The participants highly applauded the efforts of Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed for the last twenty years for the cause of Kashmir at the global level, especially to highlight the rights of the oppressed Kashmiris in Europe. They said that Ali Raza Syed has played a significant role in informing all European institutions, especially the European Parliament and the European External Action Service, and European politicians and European authorities about the issue of Kashmir and especially the rights of Kashmiris.

They further said that Ali Raza Syed and his team have set up numerous camps, processions, and demonstrations during public awareness campaigns in different European countries in the last two decades. Additionally, through a one-million signature campaign across Europe, he informed the European people about the issue of Kashmir and Indian atrocities on Kashmiris and tried to get Europe’s support in favor of Kashmiris.

During the ceremony, tributes were paid to the Pakistani intellectual and senior journalist late Khalid Hameed Farooqi for his selfless cooperation with the ongoing movement of the Kashmir Council EU in Europe to highlight the Kashmir issue, especially the human rights of Kashmiris. Fatiha was also recited for reward of late Khalid Farooqi.

On the occasion, Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed thanked the host for managing the reception in his honor and participants for attending this event.

He said that India is continuously snatching the basic human rights of Kashmiris for the past 76 years and creating obstacles in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Indian forces are involved in genocide of Kashmiris, extrajudicial killings and illegal imprisonment, target killings, killings of Kashmiri youth in fake encounters, enforced disappearance, desecration of women and other serious crimes against humanity in the Occupied Kashmir. So far, India has used more subtle tactics to reduce the proportion of the Kashmiri population in Jammu and Kashmir, including changing domicile laws and ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ali Raza Syed said that we will continue to play our role to highlight the issue of Kashmir and to expose the real brutal face of India involved in the severe violation of the rights of Kashmiris.

Chairman Kashmir Council EU called on the international community to play its role in stopping the human rights violations of Kashmiris and for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue.