London: All parties parliamentary group on Pakistan held international conference on Kashmir in the British parliament on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day
The Kashmir conference was attended by all parties from Pakistan and UK. More than three dozen were MPs in attendance including AJK President and opposition leaders.
Dozens of Kashmiris representative groups also attended one of the biggest conference on Kashmir ever in UK parliament.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said its encouraging to see such a large support for Kashmir cause in UK by all parties Parliamentary group on Pakistan.
He said “Worst human rights abuses being perpetrated by India just because Kashmiris want right of self determination.”
The minister said we are here to express support to Kashmiris and all those who love freedom despite oppression by India. “Humanity is bleeding in Kashmir, people are distressed, life is extremely difficult with each passing day. Rape, murder and killings and grievous injuries are daily occurrences.”
He assured Kashmiris they are not alone in their just struggle, “we will continue to lend every kind of diplomatic and moral support and will stand by them every step of the way.”
Sherry Rehman
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the conference is a strong show of support for Kashmiris in the occupied valley.
“Overt the time we have seen three generations of Kahsmiris under a reign of unchecked terror. Sadly the world conscience has not spoken up enough to end this impunity.”
“Our FM spoke of mass graves and terror and that shows terrible despair and true reality in Kashmir. The issue of Kashmir crosses party line.”
She went on to say Benazir Bhutto Shaheed made 5th February martyrs Kashmir day. We are here to show our diplomatic support to Kashmiris and there is no military solution to the Kashmir conflict, adding that peace is future.
India and Pakistan must begin talks and resolve all issues through dialogue.
Sayeeda Warsi
Sayeeda Warsi said successive UK governments have sidestepped the issue of Kashmir. “Sexual violence in Kashmir as a tool of war is most horrific. India is failing to fulfill its responsibility.
Debbie Abrahams
Labour MP and shadow foreign minister Debbie Abrahams said we need to wake up international community to take interest in the issue of Kashmir and their right of self determination.
India is a member of the commonwealth and by its rule should respect human rights, he said and added that India, UK and Pakistan can come together as commonwealth countries and hold India to standards of commonwealth, he said.
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said “There is unanimity of view that human rights should be protected and that there is no military conflict.”
He added “There is a special role for the UK government in terms of the historic role that it has to play.”
Labour MP Sharron Debbie
Labour MP Sharron Debbie from Birmingham said united in our sheer horror on what’s happening in Kashmir. Peace can never be achieved by violent means. Kashmir has become a horror story.
EX prime minister of Norway
EX prime minister of Norway Mr Kjell Magne Bondevick said Kashmir is the longest lasting conflict. People are suffering, adding that huge abuses have created refugee problem.
He added it’s difficult to get attention as Yemen and Syria conflicts going on. “I visited Kashmir and was horrified to see the humanitarian situation. The only sustainable solution is political.”
India is a member of the commonwealth and by its rule should respect human rights, he said and added that India, UK and Pakistan can come together as commonwealth countries and hold India to standards of commonwealth, he said.
Senator Nuzhat Sadiq
Senator Nuzhat Sadiq said Kashmir cause is dear to our hearts. The world needs to know about Indian terrorism. Children and women are being killed, innocent people losing their lives. “Kashmir today is the centre stage and its an important cause.”
Credit goes to the people of Kashmir for sustaining Indian terror. International community need to realise this.
Senator Mushahud Hussain Syed
Senator Mushahud Hussain Syed: All Pakistan has one voice on Kashmir, there is no division. Kashmir is the only conflict on the UN agenda whose resolution was agreed by both parties.
“Highest soldiers occupation ratio. One Indian soldier for 4-5 Kashmiris,” he said and added that rape is an instrument of war in IoK. Kids being killed.
“I pay tribute to Burhan Wani and other youth who have resisted the tyranny of terror. There are winds of change all across Asia from Korra to Kartarpur to Kabul and Kashmir is swayed by desire for change.”
UN resolutions make it clear that its UN responsibility because this issue is linked with the issue of peace.
He was thankful to all parties parliamentary groups on Kashmir for organising this conference. The time has come to take the bull by the horns.
Senator Asif Kirmani
Senator Asif Kirmani said this delegation comprises of senators from all political parties, the entire Pakistani nation is on one page on the issue of Kashmir and stand with Kashmiris. All parties will continue to support Kashmiris. “I fully endorse the speech given by honourable foreign minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Quershi about the issue of Kashmir.
Sardar Masood Khan
AJK President Sardar Masood Khan said this is mother of all parliaments lets hope this conference will bring worldwide realisation about Kashmir issue.
For the people of Kashmir the dark hour has spread over 200 years. For the past 71 years Kashmiris have gone through sufferings of unprecedented nature. Its humanitarian responsibility of all MPs in UK to raise voice on behalf of widows, victims of rape, families of those who have disappeared, the families of the victims of these killings, unmarked graves.”
He said “We salute their courage and determination and their resolution to continue their struggle for freedom.”
“India is writing a text book of human rights violations. Indian soldiers are perpetrating ethnic cleansing. International media has exposed massive human rights violations in Kashmir. There is global awareness but governments are tight lipped.”