Brussels, To mark the observation of Kashmir Black Day 2023, a poignant seminar took place at the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels. The gathering focused on the challenges faced by Kashmir under Indian rule, calling attention to the longstanding conflict and the quest for self-determination as stated in UN resolutions.
According to a news release by Press International Department, the attendees were a blend of members from the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, representatives from think tanks, and journalists across both print and electronic media spheres. The event initiated with a video screening that shed light on the gravity of the Kashmir Black Day and detailed the severe actions taken by Indian security forces in the region.
Taking the podium, speakers Ms. Shaista Safi and Mr. Muzammil Ayub Thakur unveiled their personal tales of exile, distress, and psychological anguish. Their presentations echoed the direct narratives and testimonies of those who had borne the brunt of the aggressive Indian occupation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Both speakers expressed their deep concern over the international community’s subdued response to the evident crimes against humanity and genocide in Kashmir. Moreover, they reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to championing the cause of Kashmiri self-determination as prescribed by the UN Security Council resolutions.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed contributed to the seminar’s discourse through a special video message. He accentuated that the illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir had taken a more dangerous turn, transitioning into an unlawful annexation. This act, he emphasized, had drawn condemnation not only from the people of Kashmir and Pakistan but also from the broader global community, given its contravention of the United Nation’s charter and universally accepted principles of international law. The Senator highlighted the flagrant human rights abuses by Indian security forces and urged the global community to address the human rights concerns and recognize the self-determination rights of the people of IIOJK.
The seminar also served as a platform for the dissemination of statements from Pakistan’s leadership. Messages from the President, Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan were presented to the attendees by Ambassador Amna Baloch, Deputy Head of Mission Faraz Zaidi, and Minister (Customs) Asad Rizvi, in that order.
It’s pertinent to mention that the 27th of October holds global significance as Kashmir Black Day. This date, 76 years ago, marked the beginning of India’s forceful control over the State of Jammu and Kashmir, devoid of any legal basis. The subsequent decades witnessed the Kashmiri populace enduring relentless oppression, as they continued to demand their inherent right to self-determination.