Geneva, Switzerland: A large protest demonstration took place outside the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, led by a Kashmiri delegation. The protesters demanded that the international community take effective action to resolve the Kashmir dispute urgently.
The demonstration was attended by Kashmiris and Pakistanis living in Europe, the UK, and other countries. The participants expressed deep concern about the deteriorating political and human rights situation in occupied Kashmir. They stated that since August 5, 2019, the Indian government has used laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to suppress any dissenting voices in the region.
The protesters said that these laws have led to the arrest of a large number of political and human rights activists, as well as the transfer of prisoners to distant jails, where they have limited access to their families. They added that such measures have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the majority population in the region, which feels alienated, powerless, and insecure under the BJP’s hardline rule.
The protesters also highlighted the difficulties faced by the people of Kashmir since the special status of the region was revoked in 2019. They pointed out that the region’s economy has suffered significantly, and the people are facing severe hardships, especially after the Pulwama attack, which was used by the Indian government to justify collective punishment of Kashmiris, particularly youth.
The protesters noted that thousands of civilians, mostly youth, have been detained under the PSA and are still in distant jails where they have limited access to their families. They also pointed out that journalists and human rights activists have been targeted by the Indian government for speaking out against its aggressive policies and mistreatment of Kashmiris.
The protesters demanded that the Indian government end its repressive policies and laws, which have been used to suppress the Kashmiri people’s rights and freedoms. They also called for the release of all political prisoners, including Mirza Yaseen Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, and Asiya Andrabi, who have been detained since August 5, 2019.
The protesters appealed to the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take concrete steps to protect the identity and rights of the Kashmiri people, ensure their political freedom, and uphold the principle of self-determination. They emphasized that the Kashmir dispute is a threat to regional peace and stability and that a lasting solution to the issue is essential for achieving peace in South Asia.
The protesters also condemned the Indian government’s plans to alter the demographic makeup of the region by settling non-resident Indians in Kashmir and promoting the construction of settlements for Kashmiri Pandits. They stated that such measures are a threat to the Kashmiri people’s identity and rights and are in clear violation of the UN Security Council’s resolutions on the issue.
In conclusion, the protesters demanded that the international community, particularly the UN, take immediate action to resolve the Kashmir dispute and protect the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people. They emphasized that the Kashmir issue is a threat to regional peace and stability and that a lasting solution to the issue is essential for achieving peace in South Asia.
