(Aman News International)The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the Netherlands organized a webinar to mark ‘Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir’ on 04 August 2023. The webinar focused on deteriorating human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) since India’s unilateral action to revoke Articles 35 (A) and 370 to undo the special status of Jammu & Kashmir.
The speakers at the webinar included Ambassador Zamir Akram, Pakistan’s Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of Kashmir Council European Union and Prof. Muhammad Aslam Syed, a known academic and public intellectual.
The webinar was virtually attended by a number of participants including academics, university students and community members. The panelists spoke about Indian atrocities and plight of Kashmiri people in IIOJK since 05 August 2019 as well as the historical, political and legal dimensions of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. They condemned illegal and unilateral actions of 05 August 2019 and the Indian government’s policies to bring demographic change in IIOJK in violation of UNSC resolutions and 4th Geneva Convention. They called for release of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik from illegal and arbitrary detention.
Ambassador Zamir Akram, Pakistan’s Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, highlighted the sufferings of Kashmiri people. He elaborated the consequences of India’s unilateral actions and the significant role of the international community to play in peace and security in the region through resolution of Jammu & Kashmir Dispute.
Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of Kashmir Council European Union, condemned Indian occupation forces for illegal detention of Kashmiri leaders, killing innocent people and suppressing the voice of journalists and human rights activist. He called human rights violations in IIOJK a big challenge to the conscience of international community. He said India has failed to get intended results and would have to reverse its decision.
Prof. Muhammad Aslam Syed focused on the struggle of Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination and systematic human rights violations by the Indian government. He urged to raise voice against Indian atrocities and called on international community to force India to fulfill its commitments made in the United Nations. He said that no solution short of fulfillment of India’s commitments to the United Nations could be acceptable.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Suljuk Mustansar Tarar underscored the significance of the day of ‘Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir’. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for right to self-determination. He highlighted the prevalent human rights situation in IIOJK and arbitrary detention of Kashmiri leaders and journalists. He emphasized that the Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik should be released from detention and farcical trial against him must be stopped. He concluded by saying that Jammu & Kashmir dispute must be resolved in the light of UN resolutions and wishes of Kashmiri people.
The participants actively contributed to the session and raised some questions which were responded by the panel. Ambassador Tarar thanked the speakers for the discussion and joining Pakistan Embassy to commemorate “Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir”.
