Let us work globally to help Kashmiris achieve freedom: Senator Lee Rhiannon

SYDNEY, August 08 (SABAH): “Both India and Israel are committing crimes against humanity with impunity for the last 76 years. For government officials and Indian soldiers, there are no consequences. No one has been held accountable for war crimes and genocide. Kashmir has similar history to Palestine. One shared history of both Israel and India is to denigrate Palestinians and Kashmiris as terrorist. These so-called terrorists are the ones who stand for freedom and self-determination. India enacted ‘Unlawful Activities Prevention Act’ (UAPA) so that someone can be designated as terrorist without evidence have been produced. The number of people imprisoned under this law has risen dramatically. In 2019, Sandeep Chakravorty, Indian consul-general in New York said we should pursue the policy of settlement in Kashmir similar to that of Israel. Some Indian political commentators have publicly proposed Israel like solution to Kashmir. This is an ugly and dangerous policy,” these are the views expressed by Senator Lee Rhiannon, Australian politician and former member of Australian Senate during an event held in Sydney, Australia.

Senator Rhiannon added that Modi is using tactics to discredit and kill not only Kashmiris but also their supporters, in particular Muslims and Sikhs not only in other parts of India but also beyond. Last year, an Indian official was found responsible for killing a Sikh activist in Canada. The United States Justice Department says that an official of Indian government has been charged with conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh activist in the United States. The Washington Post reported that the man charged was an officer working in the Spy agency of India. The story is even more alarmed as it has also been reported that the operation was approved by a senior intelligence official. In Australia, the Sikh diaspora was very concerned that Modi regime may bring violence to Australia.

Senator Rhiannon suggested that public activities have proved very critical and decisive to bring pressure on governments, be it Vietnam War or Apartheid in South Africa. It can be repeated in Kashmir as well. We must maintain pressure on western governments to persuade government of India to stop colonial project in Kashmir before it is too late. We should work together globally to help the people of Kashmir achieve their long awaited right of self-determination.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice said that it was on August 5, 2019, when Modi Government abrogated Article 370 and 35 A that guaranteed the special status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The move has been rejected by the United Nations which unambiguously declared on August 8, 2019, that “the position of the United Nations on this region is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions.” With 100,000 civilian deaths, 10,000 missing and civic, political and economic life critically suppressed, the people of Kashmir are on the brink of genocide.

Dr. Fai added that India has unleashed a well-designed imperialist plan that seeks to forever change the political nature of the Kashmir dispute through demographic changes, political maneuverings, and administrate machinations. These alterations to Kashmir’s disputed nature were capped by new domicile laws that entitled people from outside Kashmir to obtain domicile certificates as a first step toward granting them the right to buy land and compete for local jobs. More than 4.3 million Domicile certificates have been issued until today. The Indian rulers have sought to shamelessly disregard that these unilateral changes made to the UN-recognized international dispute’s status are a clear violation of International Law.

“It is with this in mind that we appeal to all peoples of conscience and the international community to raise their voices against the brutal oppression the people of Jammu and Kashmiriv who are suffering under the occupying forces of the Government of India,” Dr. Fai emphasized.
Rab Nawaz, Chairman Australian Forum for Kashmir welcome the participants for taking time to be the part of this very important occasion. He emphasized that Kashmiri Australians along with the friends of Kashmir stand with the oppressed Kashmiri brothers and sisters till they achieve their right to self-determination.
Rab Nawaz added that India by abrogating Article 370 & 35 A tried to break the spirit of Kashmiris, arrested the whole leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, spilled the blood of tens of thousands of innocent Kashmiris but India could not kill the aspiration of the people of Kashmir for Aazadi and self-determination.

Qamar Zaman, Consul General said that Kashmiris are the real leaders of the movement against Indian occupation and Pakistan will stand with them and provide all diplomatic and political support.

Qamar Zaman added that it is vitally important that the world powers intervene immediately and backs its words of condemnation with practical measures that will force India to reverse present course which violates international law and in particular UN Security Council resolution 91 of 1951 and 122 of 1957. These resolutions call upon both India and Pakistan to “refrain from making any statements and from doing or causing to be done or permitting any acts which might aggravate the situation.”
“Pakistan will stand with its Kashmiri brethren until they realize their inalienable right to self-determination as promised by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” Mr. Qamar Zaman concluded.

Dr. Amjad Magsi, President, Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association warned that Kashmir can trigger accidental nuclear catastrophe as Kashmir is the only region sharing borders with three nuclear powers – India, Pakistan and China. It is imperative that world powers step in to resolve the Kashmir dispute for the sake of international peace and security.
Ms. Saima Jamil, a young and energetic diplomat was an Emcee. Ms. Jamil said that the people of Indian occupied Kashmir have given unprecedented sacrifice, and the world community should not let them down.