London (PNI) A crucial debate on human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir was held in the UK House of Commons, led by Sarah Smith MP. The debate, secured by Smith, highlighted the repression under Indian occupation , drawing attention to arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses.<\/p>\n
Fahim Kayani, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK and All Parties Kashmir Alliance UK, congratulated Sarah Smith MP for bringing the issue to the UK Parliament, stating that the discussion exposed the \u201cbrutal face of Indian occupation in Kashmir.\u201d<\/p>\n
MPs Demand Accountability for Kashmir Violations<\/p>\n
Opening the debate, Sarah Smith MP criticized India\u2019s occupation forces, stating that they continue to enforce \u201crepressive policies, including arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and other serious abuses.\u201d She highlighted that laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and the Public Safety Act obstruct justice, impede accountability, and deprive victims of their rights.<\/p>\n
Amnesty International also raised concerns, stating that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act gives Indian forces \u201cde facto legal immunity\u201d for human rights violations, while the UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor stressed that \u201cstates must respect human rights obligations and be held accountable for violations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amnesty\u2019s review of habeas corpus petitions revealed a sevenfold increase in Public Safety Act cases after 2019, disproportionately affecting Muslim-majority areas like Srinagar over Hindu-majority Jammu.<\/p>\n
British MPs Call for Action<\/p>\n
Several MPs called for the UK to condition its trade agreements with India on improvements in human rights in Kashmir<\/p>\n
Imran Hussain MP highlighted 70 years of suffering, persecution, and oppression faced by Kashmiris. He condemned enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and what he described as the world\u2019s largest military occupation.<\/p>\n
Ayoub Khan MP questioned the UK\u2019s stance on human rights, asking, \u201cHow can we claim to champion human rights while turning a blind eye to atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir?\u201d He compared Kashmir\u2019s situation to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, criticizing Western inaction.<\/p>\n
Tahir Ali MP challenged India\u2019s democratic claims, asking, \u201cIf India is the world\u2019s largest democracy, why does it refuse international observers in Kashmir?\u201d He condemned extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and the use of pellet guns against schoolchildren, asserting that Kashmir is not a bilateral issue but a matter of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Iqbal MP condemn the repression in Kashmir, as highlighted by Amnesty International\u2019s reports of arbitrary detentions and human rights violations. The UK government must lead in pressing India to uphold UN resolutions and respect Kashmiris\u2019 right to self-determination.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yasmin Qureshi MP said \u201cAs someone with deep personal ties to Kashmir, I stress the UK\u2019s historical responsibility due to its role in the partition. The revocation of Article 370 by India in 2019 has exacerbated the suffering of Kashmiris. I urge the UK government to advocate for Kashmiris\u2019 right to self-determination and take a stronger stance on human rights, moving beyond the bilateral narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n
Catherine West, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, reaffirmed the UK\u2019s commitment to human rights in its foreign policy, including within trade agreements with India. She emphasized the government\u2019s ongoing work with international organizations such as the UN to address human rights issues<\/p>\n
UK Lawmakers Join the Call for Justice<\/p>\n
A number of British MPs, including Andy McDonald, Stella Creasy,
\nJim Shannon, Abtisam Mohamed ,Harpreet Uppal, Gareth Snell, David Williams , Dr Allison Gardner .Wendy Morton, and Paul Waugh, participated in the debate, raising concerns over human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n
The debate reinforced growing international concern over occupied Kashmir and called for greater accountability, transparency, and global intervention to address the ongoing human rights crisis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
London (PNI) A crucial debate on human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir was held in the UK House of Commons, led by Sarah Smith MP. The debate, secured by Smith, highlighted the repression under Indian occupation , drawing attention to arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial […]<\/p>\n
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