THE INTERNATIONALLY DISPUTED AREAS OF
JAMMU AND KASHMIR (IDA: JK) ARE NOT AN "INTEGRAL" PART OF INDIA AS
PROPAGATED BY THE NEW DELHI ADMINISTRATION: HABIB YOUSAFZAI, CHAIRMAN, KASHMIR
DIASPORA ALLIANCE
A SEMINAR CALLED, “KASHMIR DISPUTE:
LET’S WORK FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION” TOOK PLACE AT 1380 STOUFFVILLE ROAD,
RICHMOND HILL. ONTARIO, L4E9S3
PRESS RELEASE DATED NOVEMBER, 23, 2013
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ASSLAAM-O-ALAIKUM!
I am going to be rather brief in
my comments on the issue of "Self Determination" and
Sovereignty of the citizens of the IDA: JK by highlighting just a few points;
1. That IDA: JK is not an
"integral" part of the India as propagated by New Delhi administration.
Rather, historical facts and religious and cultural similarities clearly attest
to IDA: JK’s citizens rightful place as part of Pakistan.
2. The United Nation: Security
Council (UN: SC) resolution of 1948 clarifies that the future of IDA:
JK will be decided by the "Self-Determination" which is right of the
citizens of the IDA:JK. Since the UN: SC resolution has not been implemented in
the last 66-year, we should not depend on this international institution solely
for the liberation of IDA:JK as it is made up of sovereign states, all of which
have interests of their own, and the majority of which have ignored Indian
atrocities for their own self-interest.
3. The citizens of the IDA: JK are
eagerly awaiting to live in freedom of fear and to be able to control the lives
of their present and future generations which will only be possible after
Self-Determination.
4. The Special Armed Forces Power Act
of India (SAFPI) is the biggest stumbling block in the way of UN: SC's
"Self-Determination.
5. In numerous sessions of the
UN: Human Rights Council, resolutions have been passed to "repel" the
draconian SAFPI, with immediate effect. For over the last six decades, Indian
forces have had complete immunity from any form of limitations which represents
law. For example, they can search anyone, illegally enter anybody’s home
without a search warrant, they can illegally arrest anyone without a warrant,
and, kill anyone based off of simple suspicion. All of these gross human rights
violations are legitimized as actions in “the line of duty”. Until this date,
more than 200,000 Kashmiris and 270,000 innocent Sikhs have been murdered.
6. "Self Determination" of
IDA: JK is attached to the legitimate claims of other territories/states which
have been occupied by India. Just like IDA:JK, these areas have also been
"struggling to regain their sovereignty". The people of the IDA: JK
support their demands of Sovereignty and Independence, in particular the
citizens of Sikh Homeland Punjab (Khalistan). The people of IDA:JK must
understand, and they do understand that the liberation movement will be far
stronger if the oppressed act collectively. Within IDA:JK and abroad, the
oppressed must not fall into the schemes of the oppressor and divide amongst
themselves in order to delegitimize their very legitimate claims.
7. India must withdraw its forces from
the States where these armed personnel are stationed and the armed forces be
sent back to their "barracks", with immediate effect. The level of
human suffering and death which these soldiers have caused is unimaginable.
8. IDA:JK is of fundamental
concern in any discussion between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and India as
this region is the primary issue which is serving as an impediment to peaceful
relations.
9. There have been more than 165
insurgency movements going on in India. These are all fighting for their
Sovereignty and illegal occupation from the Indian state. To state this is not
to claim that all of these movements have a legitimate claim to the degree of the
people of IDA:JK; rather, it is to assert that we are not alone!
I would like to conclude by driving
home an extremely important point which I feel is a core issue right now and a
disease amongst those who claim to be fighting for the liberation of
IDA: JK. We must always be extremely critical of any situation that we assess,
and never analyze a situation in strictly black and white terms. Who are
our enemies? Who are our friends? These are questions that remain unanswered
because at this point it seems as though we have forgotten who our brothers
are. We the people of Kashmir are all brothers. As such, we must not divide
amongst ourselves and we must not disunite from our Muslim brothers in
Pakistan. Along with pointing out the atrocities of others and fighting for the
oppressed, we must not forget to amend and be self-critical of our
own behaviors. If we are spreading disunity and hate against ourselves and
all other human beings, than inevitably we are hurting the liberation movement.
Until we unite and stand as one, we will never be able to credibly assert
our claims and take the freedom that is ours. Until we unite as one, we will
never have any real respect.
Mr. Ken Stone from the Hamilton
Coalition to Stop the War, Balkar Singh Heir from the United Front of Sikhs,
Nafees Zakaria, Consul General of Pakistan, and, Zafar Bangash all speakers at
the event unanimously condemned the
human rights violations taking place in IDA:JK and Khalistan. They also stressed
the urgent need for self-determination in IDA: JK as an immediate solution.
Thank you and May God bless you
all.
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