London, A significant conference in the UK Parliament, led by British lawmakers, activists, and peace advocates, discussed the contentious issue of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the context of the Indian Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the conference, commemorating International Human Rights Day, was chaired by Paul Bristow, MP, and hosted by Fahim Kayani, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK. The event aimed to remind the international community of its duty to advocate for a free and fair plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, as per UN resolutions.
British lawmakers, including Kate Hollern, Jess Phillips, Sarah Owen, Steve Baker, Sara Britcliffe, Lord Qurban Hussain, Muhammad Yasin, Tahir Ali, Tan Dhesi, Debbie Abrahams, and Marco Longhi, engaged in a detailed discussion on the Kashmir dispute. The conference highlighted the potential nuclear flashpoint in South Asia, given the strategic location of the UN-designated disputed territory.
Paul Bristow condemned India’s actions in Kashmir and called for equal human rights support for the people of occupied Kashmir, similar to that shown for Palestinians.
Fahim Kayani lauded Paul Bristow’s continuous support for the Kashmir cause within the Conservative party. He criticized the Indian Supreme Court for its lack of courage in acknowledging UN resolutions on Kashmir, emphasizing that neither the Indian parliament nor the President has sovereignty over Kashmir.
British MPs voiced their concerns and disappointments regarding the Indian Supreme Court’s decision, highlighting the importance of human rights and the need to push the UK government to uphold these rights in Kashmir. They dismissed the ruling as an extension of India’s disregard for international law and called for the international community’s intervention.
Participants also emphasized the urgency of resolving the Kashmir issue, especially given the nuclear capabilities of India and Pakistan. The British government was reminded of its moral responsibility towards the people of Kashmir post-partition.
The conference concluded with the London resolution on Kashmir, read by Fahim Kayani, which termed the Indian Supreme Court’s decision as a direct violation of UN resolutions. The resolution expressed deep concern over India’s actions in Kashmir, including heightened surveillance, issuance of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, and the prolonged illegal detention of Kashmiri leaders, urging their immediate release.
The participants called for adherence to international law and the UN Charter, pressing India to enable Kashmiris to decide their political fate through a fair and free plebiscite, as promised by the international community since 1948.