KUALA LUMPUR: The 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been called upon to refer to a resolution passed in 1948 which was adopted as a peace settlement to the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
The call was made by representatives of 10 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a joint statement today, which was issued in solidarity with all Kashmiris who are commemorating “Black Day” – when the two territories acceded to India in 1954.
The NGOs urged the implementation of a plebiscite that will enable Kashmiris to determine their own future, which is one of three parts of the resolution adopted by the UNSC in its 286th meeting.
“This has been denied by India for the last 70 years,” the statement read.
The joint statement was issued by Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid; Alliance of World Mosque in Defence of Al Aqsa Datuk Seri Ahmad Awang; the Ulama Assembly of Asia Secretariat chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Samsudin; Pakistan Society of Malaysia chairman Datuk Tahir Khan; iReach Malaysia director Johan Arif Ismail; SALIMAH Malaysia chairman Datin Aminah Zakaria; Peduli Ummah Malaysia director Rozaidi Taib; Malaysia-Kashmir Youth Forum coordinator Fadhil Yusni; chair of Muhammad Al Fateh Mosque Malaysia Zulkifli Ibrahim; and Ummah Care Malaysia chairman Mohd Nasir Zakaria.
The NGOs also demanded an immediate cessation to the violations of human rights in Indian-occupied-Kashmir (IOK), as well as the end of impunity enjoyed by Indian security forces in the region.
They claim that there are rampant human rights abuses taking place in IOK.
The NGOs also outlined five demands which include the dismantling of the lockdown of Jammu and Kashmir by India, in order to return Kashmiris’ lives ‘back to normality’.
“Secondly, the Special Powers Act 1990 of India must be repealed to enable prosecution of the armed forces and security personnel that are involved in human right abuses.
“We call for the banning on the use of pellet shotguns by the Indian troops aimed towards blinding Kashmiri protestors.
“Thirdly, the detention of dissidents by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir must be halted, and those incarcerated must be released if no charges are made against them. Administrative detention powers must be in line with international legal principles,” said the NGOs.
As for the fourth demand, the NGOs called for an independent investigation into enforced disappearances and mass and unmarked graves in IOK, which must be conducted to identify suspected victims.
The oppressed people of IOK, said the NGOs in their fifth demand, must be given the right of self-determination.
“The use of brutal force to quell their indigenous freedom struggle must end,” said the NGOs, adding that they have learnt of the closing of mosques; and Muslims being prevented from performing Friday prayer for the last three months.
“We believe (that a) lasting solution of the Kashmir dispute is extremely essential for peace, security and stability in South Asia and beyond.
“The unwillingness to engage in dialogue and suppression of Kashmiris’ aspirations for freedom will continue to endanger regional as well as international peace and security,” they added.