APHC-AJK Seminar in Islamabad Condemns India’s Rights Violations in IIOJK

Introduction: Highlighting Kashmir’s Struggle for Freedom

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK), in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell (JKLC), organized a seminar at Kashmir House in Islamabad to shed light on the ongoing human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The seminar, attended by prominent leaders, aimed to raise global awareness about India’s military occupation and repressive actions in the region, condemning India’s unjust actions that continue to deny the Kashmiri people their basic rights.

Key Leadership Voices Raise Concerns

The seminar was attended by key political figures, including Iman Shah, the Minister for Information of Gilgit-Baltistan, who served as the chief guest, and senior APHC-AJK leader Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, who chaired the event. Other speakers included former AJK Minister Syed Ali Raza Bukhari, Ghazala Habib, Chairperson of Friends of Kashmir, and Naveed Jiwa, a former AJK Minister for Minorities. The discussions centered on the need for global attention to the plight of the Kashmiri people.

India’s Hypocritical Independence Day Celebrations

A major point raised at the seminar was the hypocrisy behind India’s Independence Day celebrations. While India claims to celebrate freedom, the Kashmiri people remain under occupation, denied their right to self-determination. The speakers criticized India’s refusal to grant the Kashmiri people their democratic right to decide their future, pointing out that India’s actions contradict the very principles of freedom it celebrates annually.

Ongoing Human Rights Violations in Kashmir

The seminar also highlighted the ongoing human rights abuses in IIOJK, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and custodial killings. Restrictions on media freedom, suppression of peaceful political activity, and the constant militarization of daily life were also discussed. These violations, according to the seminar speakers, have created an atmosphere of fear and suffering for the people of Kashmir, whose voices continue to be silenced by India’s oppressive policies.

Kashmir as an Internationally Recognized Dispute

The seminar reminded the audience that Kashmir is not a domestic issue for India but an internationally recognized dispute. The United Nations has passed multiple resolutions calling for a plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their future. However, India has consistently rejected these resolutions, maintaining its illegal control over the region. The speakers called for the global community to press India to respect international law and the rights of the Kashmiri people.

United Nations: Inaction on Kashmir

A major critique during the seminar was aimed at the United Nations’ failure to enforce its own resolutions regarding Kashmir. Despite clear mandates from the UN Security Council, India’s continued occupation and repression in Kashmir remain unchecked. The speakers called for greater accountability from the UN, urging it to take action to uphold its resolutions and hold India responsible for its violations.

Solidarity with the Kashmiri Struggle

Reaffirming their commitment to the Kashmiri cause, the seminar participants expressed strong solidarity with the people of IIOJK. They emphasized that the struggle for Kashmir’s freedom is a universal cause, deeply rooted in the values of justice and human rights. The speakers urged the international community to stand with Kashmir in its fight for self-determination, stressing that the rights of the Kashmiri people must not be ignored.

India’s Military Aggression and Legal Violations

The seminar also discussed India’s increased military aggression in Kashmir, particularly following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped Kashmir of its special status. The speakers condemned the military’s heavy-handed tactics, including the use of draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which provides immunity to soldiers involved in human rights abuses. This escalation, they argued, only deepens the resolve of the Kashmiri people to resist India’s occupation.

International Advocacy: A Key Tool for Change

The importance of international advocacy was highlighted as essential in addressing the human rights violations in Kashmir. The speakers called on governments, international organizations, and human rights bodies to exert pressure on India to end its occupation and allow the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination. They stressed that international attention is crucial to bringing India to account for its actions.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising Global Consciousness

Public awareness was also identified as a key factor in mobilizing global support for Kashmir. The seminar emphasized that while diplomatic efforts are important, raising awareness through media, academic forums, and grassroots activism is equally critical in keeping the Kashmir issue in the global spotlight. By informing the public about the human rights violations in IIOJK, the international community can create pressure for India to change its policies.

Conclusion: A Renewed Call for Action

In conclusion, the seminar at Kashmir House, Islamabad, served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom in Kashmir. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and called on the international community to take immediate action to end India’s human rights violations in IIOJK. With a renewed pledge to intensify efforts, the seminar concluded with a strong call for global solidarity and support in the fight for Kashmir’s freedom.