Islamabad: Yasmin Dar, a Kashmiri-origin UK citizen and former Lord Mayor of Manchester, has spoken out about the ongoing struggle of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) for right to self-determination, stressing the importance of raising global awareness and advocating for their rights.

According to Kashmir Media Service, in a media interview, Yasmin Dar, who is also a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Self-Determination Movement, highlighted the historical and ongoing human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “The people of IIOJK have been suffering since 1947, with countless lives lost in the ongoing conflict,” Dar said. “For the past 35 years, there has been a new wave of struggle, as Kashmiris continue to fight for their right to self-determination.” She emphasized that she is actively working to draw attention of UK MPs and the British young generation to the humanitarian crisis, particularly the violations of basic rights in IIOJK.

Dar explained that her efforts include engaging with Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK, urging them to recognize and take action against the atrocities being committed in occupied Kashmir. “We are raising awareness about the mass graves in the territory, where families still do not know the fate of their loved ones,” she said. “Widows are left to wonder if their husbands are alive, and children continue to suffer from the effects of pellet guns.”

To further their cause, Dar and her team have been organizing conferences and speaking to students in UK universities, aiming to educate the younger generation about the Kashmir dispute. “It’s important to ensure that the youth understand the history and current reality of Kashmir,” Dar explained. “We need their support in the global movement for Kashmir’s rights.”

In addition to their advocacy work, the group is involved in fundraising efforts to support destitute families affected by the conflict. “We are lobbying for the rights of the Kashmiri people, and we are working tirelessly to provide aid to those who have lost everything,” she said.

Dar also called for consistent access to information about the human rights violations taking place in IIOJK. “There must be regular updates and documentation of the atrocities,” she stated. “Only then can the international community hold the perpetrators accountable.”

Despite the challenges, Dar remained optimistic, urging others to remain hopeful in the fight for Kashmir’s rights. “Every voice that is raised in favor of Kashmiris matters,” she said. “We must not succumb to pessimism. Our efforts will continue until justice is served for the people of Kashmir.”