Islamabad, During the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations, Pakistan emphasized the indispensability of self-determination for human security, spotlighting the ongoing struggles in Palestine and Indian-occupied Kashmir. The country underscored that denying people their fundamental rights exacerbates global insecurity and violence.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Senator Mohsin Aziz, representing Pakistan at the event co-organized by the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Dennis Francis, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President, Tulia Ackson, highlighted the critical link between human security and the right to self-determination. The hearing, attended by over 300 delegates from more than 70 countries, focused on peace and international security, aligning with the IPU’s 2024 priority and the UNGA’s current presidency agenda.

Senator Aziz illustrated the dire consequences of denying self-determination through the recent violence in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed over 27,000 civilians, predominantly women and children, and displaced 2 million Palestinians. He condemned the impediments to humanitarian aid, exacerbating the Palestinians’ suffering, and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with their plight.

Furthermore, Aziz brought attention to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where over 100,000 people have been killed in their quest for freedom. He criticized India’s actions since August 5, 2019, which have led to an intensification of the crisis, with over 900,000 troops committing human rights violations and forcibly changing the region’s demographic structure, contravening Security Council resolutions.

In conclusion, Senator Aziz asserted that human security is unattainable without peace, stability, and the recognition of peoples’ right to self-determination. His remarks at the UN Headquarters in New York underscored the need for international efforts to address and resolve these long-standing conflicts.