Kashmiri diaspora flags ongoing settler colonialism at UN headquarters in Geneva

GENEVA (PNI) On the eve of UN Human Rights Council Session , Kashmiri diaspora groups Friday flagged concern about ongoing settler colonialism and human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The Kashmiri diaspora groups from Europe and the UK gathered outside UN Human Rights headquarters in Geneva, seeking attention of the world body on Kashmir.

Raising slogans against illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir, the protesters said it was collective responsibility of the international community to implement UN resolutions on Kashmir.

Fahim Kayani, a prominent Kashmiri diaspora leader, said the unresolved Kashmir dispute is a “disaster for international peace and security.”

“Kashmiris will never bow before Indian military might,” Kayani said addressing the UN office. “But the criminal silence of international community about Kashmir is disaster for international law, peace and security as the region is entangled between three nuclear-powered nations.”

To ensure there was no threat to international peace, Kayani said, “ending military occupation of Kashmir is a must as it will end hostility in South Asia.”

Kayani reminded the UN Human Rights Council that there were two reports by UN Human Rights Chief released in recent years which need to be updated.

“These reports are a glaring example as why India should not be sanctioned for her war crimes and crimes against humanity which its forces are committing in Kashmir,” said Kayani.

Pointing to abductions and illegal arrests of Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders and activists, the Kashmiri diaspora groups during the protest demonstration demanded immediate intervention by UN Human Rights office.

“Kashmiris have been jailed for seeking a free and fair plebiscite which has been granted by UN and that puts responsibility on UN bodies to stand to the occasion and hold India accountable,” said in a joint statement by Ghulam Muhammad Safi Convenor APHC , Ch M Yaseen President PPPAJK, Ch Pervez Ashraf Former Minister AJK, Altaf Hussain Wani Head of Kashmir delegation Geneva,Shameem Shawl Sardar Ajmad Yousaf , Faiz Naqshbandi, Ch Naeem ,Professor Shugufta, Asif Jarral , Naila Kayani , Raja Sajjad and other Kashmiri leaders.

Raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, they said failure to do so by the UN Human Rights office raises questions about its agenda which seems to be discriminatory.

“International law cannot change because of the preferences of powerful and mighty,” they warned. “If Kashmir remains unresolved, day is not far when this system will be challenged from within.