Australia must uphold human rights in Kashmir: Rab Nawaz

SYDNEY August 07 (SABAH): An International Kashmir Conference was organized by ‘Australian Forum for Kashmir’ (AFK) and Consulate General Office Pakistan in Sydney on the occasion of 4th anniversary of siege of Kashmir by India.

Rab Nawaz, Co-Ordinator of Australian Forum for Kashmir expressed his sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who had joined virtually on Facebook and in particular Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Fai from USA & Dr. Waleed Rasool, representative of All Parties Huriyat Conference who spoke on the subject during the Webinar.

Rab Nawaz emphasized that AFK would continue its support and struggle for the people of Kashmir in Australia and will extend this support by coordinating with other organizations working in other parts of the world.

AFK was established in 2019 when the Indian government revoked the article 370 and 35A from its constitution through which a special status was given to Kashmiris.  Within these four years Australian Forum for Kashmir has raised the voice of Kashmiri people among different forums including Australian parliamentarians, public and different organizations.

Rab Nawaz also acknowledged the efforts by M. Muhammad Ashraf Consulate General Pakistan, Sydney, Sr. Saima Jamil Deputy Consulate General Pakistan, Sydney and their staff for highlighting the Kashmir cause effectively at the Australian public square.

Usaid Khalil, Secretary General, ‘Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims’ (IFAM) expressed his solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Kashmir. He said that Kashmir demands our utmost attention because Indian army is committing unprecedented human rights atrocities with impunity. India has enacted draconian laws which are designed to change the majority Muslim character of Kashmir to a minority character. Mr. Khalil added that the world press and international NGO’s have spoken that human rights violations in Kashmir are systematic and officially sanctioned.

Usaid Khalil said that he is proud to be an Australian Muslim where equally rights and equal opportunity are given to all. But he added that he was dismayed at watching the red-carpet treatment that was given by our government to Narendra Modi who was responsible for the massacre of more than 2000 Muslims of Gujrat. Does our government know, Mr. Khalil asked that Modi’s visa was revoked, and he was denied the entry to the United States in 2005 for his involvement in death and destruction of Muslims of Gujrat? We want our government to take a principle stand as we did in 1950’s at the United Nations and demand that Modi government fulfills its promise that was given to the people of Kashmir – right to self-determination. We also demand the India gives free access to the international NGO’s and media to Kashmir to assess the situation, release all political prisoners, and revoke draconian laws.

Usaid Khalil reiterated that IFAM will do whatever it can in mobilizing the public opinion regarding the situation in Kashmir.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum said that whenever India took the unilateral action, the world community has always rejected it. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of Australia for being the co-sponsor of the UN Security Council resolution #122 (1957) which says that any unilateral action taken by the Jammu & Kashmir Constituent Assembly cannot be the substitute for the disposition of the people under this principle.

Dr. Fai added that Sir Edward Ronald Walker is on record to have said on January 24, 1957, that ‘the Australian delegation enters upon this discussion with a deep sense of responsibility, for the people of Australia have followed this problem of Kashmir with great anxiety and concern. The sole interest of the Australian Government in this matter is to do what we can to assist the parties to find a just and mutually acceptable solution of this problem.’ We do hope that the administration of Honorable Anthony Albanese will abide by that principle.

Dr. Fai reiterated that despite this persistent tyranny, the people of Kashmir have never lost hope in the right of self-determination. They will never ever give up their right to be free and they will never surrender. That is why they seek a greater understanding of the world powers including Australia in this regard.

Dr. Waleed Rasool, Professor, Riphah International University and Director General at ‘Institute of Multi-Track Dialogue, Development and Diplomatic Studies’ said that the trajectory from occupation, annexation and settler colonization by India in post 5th August 2019 is new hegemonic design which has brought the nation of Kashmir to the brink of extinction. The gravity of situation demands the self-examination and proper assessment by the leadership of Kashmiris inside and abroad.

Dr. Waleed Rasool added that we in Kashmiri diaspora stand with the people of occupied Kashmir in their struggle to stop government of India from dehumanizing and humiliating them and urge the Australian government to take a leadership role in urging Modi Administration to stand with the United Nations Charter and allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise the right to self-determination. We also appeal to the peace-loving global community to give voice to the voiceless people of Kashmir who are under the Indian occupation for the last 76 years.

Ms. Saima Jamil, Deputy Consul General, an articulate and seasoned diplomat was the emcee of the webinar. In her opening remarks, she said that it was on August 5, 2019, that Government of India took a unilateral decision and abrogated Article 370 and 35 A which is the violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. India also resorted to series of other illegal actions, including the enactment of Domicile Law which is designed to change the demography of Kashmir. The United Nations Special Rapporteurs are on record to have said that Indian army is committing human rights atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir. In order to express our solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Consulate General Pakistan in collaboration with Australian Forum for Kashmir are organized this webinar.