Brussels, The Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) is set to host the Kashmir EU Week from December 5 to December 15, 2023, at the European Headquarters in Brussels, an event aimed at highlighting the cultural richness of Kashmir and the plight of its people.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe, Ali Raza Syed, announced the series of events in Brussels today. The week-long program includes seminars, discussions, a media conference, and a photo exhibition at the European Press Club and the European Parliament. The events are designed to showcase Kashmiri culture and draw attention to the struggles faced by the Kashmiri people under Indian rule.
In addition to these international events, the Kashmir EU Week will feature meetings with European officials, members of the European Parliament, and representatives of civil society and human rights organizations. These interactions aim to foster a deeper understanding of the Kashmir issue among European policymakers and influencers.
Ali Raza Syed expressed concern that the Indian government might exploit the current focus on global issues such as the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East to perpetrate further acts of oppression in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He accused India of employing tactics like genocide, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and altering domicile laws to change the demographic balance in the region, thereby maintaining its illegal control.
Syed also highlighted the plight of Kashmiri leaders and activists, including Yasin Malik, who are under arrest or detention, seeing this as an attempt to silence voices advocating for Kashmiri rights. He paid tribute to Malik, who is expected to appear in court on December 5, and commended the bravery of all Kashmiri leaders and activists fighting for their people’s rights.
He called on the international community, especially the European Union, to pressure India to end its military operations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to recognize the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions. He pointed out the ongoing hardships faced by the Kashmiri people since 1947 and their increasing deprivations.