Islamabad, June 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): The All Parties Hurriyat Conference-AJK Convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has expressed the hope that US President Joe Biden would raise the issue of Kashmir with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to the United States. Mehmood Ahmed Saghar in a letter written to the US President said, we hope that the US, which has always raised the issue of human rights violations in the Indian-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir will take a bold stand and raise the issue of Kashmir with the Indian prime minister during his upcoming visit to the United States.
“We believe that the US under your dynamic leadership will continue its efforts to seek a just and honourable solution to the long-drawn conflict that has already consumed Kashmiris’ three generation,” the letter wrote. Here is the text of the letter:
Mr President!
While the Indian Prime Minister is set to visit Washington DC later this month, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) wishes to remind you of your country’s deep commitment to protecting the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international covenants. Being an ardent supporter and advocate of human rights, the United States of America has a proud legacy of defending human rights and fundamental freedoms of people all around the globe. No matter where in the world the human rights abuses are taking place or who is being abused, the United States has always stood up for human rights and the rule of law.
We hope that the US, which has always raised the issue of human rights violations in the Indian-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir will take a bold stand and raise the issue of Kashmir with the Indian prime minister during his upcoming visit to the United States. Before the Indian premier sets foot on US soil, let us remind you that Mr. Modi and his party-the BJP-are directly responsible for the fast deteriorating political and human rights situation in the UN-recognised disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
On 5 August 2019, the Modi Government, in brazen violation of the UNSC resolutions, moved a contentious bill that led to the revocation of Kashmir’s special status and dissolution of the state into two union territories. Before embarking on its ambitious mission, the Modi government laid a complete siege on Kashmir valley and hapless Kashmiris who were virtually caged in their houses reeled under curfew and clampdown for several months.
Essential fundamental freedoms that were suspended soon after stripping the region of its special status continue to hurt the social, political and economic life of the Kashmiris. Thousands of people who were arrested before and after 5th August 2019 continue to languish in jails far away from their homes. Political activists, lawyers, businessmen, journalists, students and even human rights defenders were roughed up and put in jails.
After the passage of three and a half years, Kashmir is still a no-go zone where no one is ever allowed to visit. No foreigner, be it a human rights activist or a journalist, is allowed to enter the Kashmir valley.
Since the Modi government ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmiris feel suffocated and robbed of their identity. Kashmir has been turned into a virtual hell for its citizens, where legitimate political voices are being silenced, political and democratic dissent is being suppressed to promote a controlled and concocted narrative on Kashmir. Sadly, India’s apartheid regime led by Modi has remorselessly been celebrating its totalitarian decision to strip Kashmiris of their rights and rob them of their identity as a great victory.
Let us remind you that the unresolved Kashmir conflict has been the main cause and consequence of rights violations in the region. Kashmir, the longest unresolved conflict on the agenda of the United Nations, has so far claimed hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. It is the most militarised place on earth. It has assumed dangerous proportions since the Hindu nationalist government has intensified its efforts to change the region’s demography. Genocide Watch has already raised alarm bells over slow-motion genocide in Kashmir, calling upon the United Nations and its members to warn India not to commit genocide in the region.
Given the highly volatile situation in the region, we, on behalf of the people of the Indian-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, appeal to your Excellency to raise these pressing issues with the Indian premier. We believe that the US under your dynamic leadership will continue its efforts to seek a just and honourable solution to the long-drawn conflict that has already consumed Kashmiris’ three generations.
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