APHC-AJK Appeals to UN Against Indian Supreme Court’s Verdict on Kashmir

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) has voiced its concerns over the recent verdict by the Indian Supreme Court, which upheld the government’s decision to revoke the special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. In a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and permanent member states, APHC-AJK Convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar emphasized the detrimental impact of the ruling on the legitimate political aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The APHC-AJK contends that the Indian Supreme Court’s decision is a deliberate move to undermine the Kashmiris’ political aspirations and to provide legal justification for the Modi government’s alteration of the status of the UN-recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The letter asserts that this ruling violates the sanctity of UN Security Council resolutions, which not only call for a plebiscite in the region but also recognize the Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination.

The international community recognizes Jammu and Kashmir as a long-standing dispute, pending on the United Nations Security Council agenda for over seven decades. The APHC-AJK argues that the UN resolutions explicitly state that any final decision regarding Jammu and Kashmir must align with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Consequently, the Indian government, according to the letter, lacks the authority to make unilateral decisions on the status of the disputed territory against the will of the Kashmiri people.

The APHC-AJK’s letter accuses successive Indian governments of failing to uphold international obligations, citing the illegal actions of August 5, 2019, and the recent judicial endorsement as evidence of India’s disregard for international law. It asserts that the Indian government’s actions are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and demonstrate a persistent refusal to acknowledge the rights of the Kashmiri people.

Furthermore, the APHC-AJK argues that the Indian Supreme Court’s judgment is a deliberate attempt to divert the international community’s attention from the core issue—the right to self-determination for millions of Kashmiris. The letter urges the UN Secretary General and permanent members to take note of the matter and utilize their diplomatic influence to compel the Indian government to halt its ongoing measures that infringe upon the identity and desired status change of Jammu and Kashmir.

To conclude, the APHC-AJK’s appeal to the United Nations reflects the deep concern over the legal validation of India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasizes the urgent need for international intervention to safeguard the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.