London (PNI) A significant Kashmir Solidarity Conference was held in the British Parliament on February 5th, 2025, in observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day. The event brought together British lawmakers, human rights advocates, and international supporters, all united in urging immediate global intervention to address the ongoing human rights crisis in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The conference was chaired by Andrew Pakes, Member of Parliament, and hosted by Fahim Kayani, President of the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee (APIKCC). Prominent British Parliamentarians in attendance included Paul Waugh MP, Emma Reynolds MP, Afzal Khan MP, Ayoub Khan MP, Tan Desi MP, and Adnan Hussain MP. These parliamentarians reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, a cause upheld by numerous United Nations resolutions. Andrew Pakes MP stated, “The plight of the Kashmiri people has been ignored for too long. We must act now to uphold human rights and UN resolutions.”
The conference highlighted the alarming human rights violations taking place in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoJK), particularly following India’s re-annexation of the region in August 2019. The resolution presented at the conference condemned India’s actions, which are seen as an attempt to change the demographic makeup of the disputed region through settler colonialism, backed by military force.
In a statement of solidarity with the Kashmiri people, Fahim Kayani, representing the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee, emphasized that the international community must urgently act to stop these violations. The resolution further highlighted the continued suppression of local media in IoJK, with Kashmiri journalists facing harassment and imprisonment for exposing the ongoing atrocities.
Raja Sikander Khan Vice President of APIKCC , Inam ul Haq Sec Gen of APIKCC , Cllr Majid Hussain , Cllr Zanib Raja , Sheni Hamid , Rehana Ali , Shahid Raja , Dr Yousaf Ramzay and others addressed the failure of the international community to act on previous UN reports that documented widespread human rights abuses in the region. Speakers at the conference called for an immediate UN-supervised referendum to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination.
The resolution demanded the repeal of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Public Safety Act (PSA), and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which grant impunity to Indian security forces and violate the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people. The assembly also called for an end to the “Cordon and Search Operations” that have led to the extrajudicial killings of innocent civilians, especially youth.
The conference urged the UK government, in collaboration with the international community, to take decisive steps to resolve the Kashmir dispute. It called for a multilateral dialogue involving all stakeholders—Kashmiris, India, and Pakistan—to work toward a peaceful resolution, citing the precedent set by the UK’s own facilitation of a referendum in Scotland.
The resolution further supported the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s call for a fact-finding mission to IoJK, condemning India’s refusal to grant access as a blatant violation of international law.
In conclusion, the conference issued a call for global action, urging the international community to stand up for the people of Indian occupied Kashmir and demand an end to the violence and oppression they continue to endure. The assembly expressed its deep gratitude to all those who have shown solidarity with Kashmir’s struggle for justice and freedom.
This historic conference at the British Parliament underscored the urgency of addressing the Kashmir issue and reaffirmed the global commitment to standing with the Kashmiri people in their quest for peace and self-determination.
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