GENEVA: Under the patronage of Geneva Press Club, Organisation of Kashmir Coalition (OKC), Alaska Indigenous Tribes, OCOPROCE International and International Human Rights Association of American Minorities (IHRAAM), a conference under the title – Worldwide Human Rights Perspectives; was held at the UN Human Rights capital - Geneva.
Professor Alfred de Zayas, (First Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order and Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations), moderated the conference.
He reminded the audience that the United Nations Charter is the world constitution and that all UN member states must respect its principles and purposes, notably the promotion of world peace, the right to development and human rights for all without discrimination.
He regretted that international law is not applied uniformly, but selectively, applied à la carte and that human rights have been weaponised, so that instead of advancing human dignity and the entitlement of every human being to civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, the human rights language has been corrupted and hijacked for purposes of demagogy, demonisation and defamation.
Barrister A Majid Tramboo (Executive Member of OKC and European Director of IHRAAM) echoed the views of Prof De Zayas reminding about the ongoing self–determination movement of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir where the population, young or old, men or women (including young girls and children), have been targeted to kill maim, torture, molest or rape.
Referring to the legal angle of the Jammu and Kashmir issue under the international law linking it with the United Nations very specific resolutions on Kashmir, he emphasised that any abrogation of the domestic legal framework by the Indian government does not change the internationally recognised legal position on the Kashmir issue.
Barrister Tramboo recalled that since August 5, 2019, Jammu & Kashmir is under blockade meaning cut-off from rest of the world.
Barrister Tramboo remarked that all this is highly unacceptable and, therefore, Kashmir needs aggressive diplomacy and advocacy. He announced that the upcoming year shall be themed as “2020 Commission Kashmir” which will ensure policy making and decision-making advocacy with all the stakeholders particularly the inter-governmental organisations for realising Kashmiris human rights and right to self-determination.
Ambassador Ronald Barnes (Permanent Representative of Alaska Indigenous Tribes) recalled that his name came to light after being appointed and bringing the case to the Sub-Commission on Human Rights, where the Sub-Commission offered a resolution, considering the apartheid in Alaska in light of the violations of Article 73 of the United Nations Charter and this was followed by a visit to Alaska by Professor Alfred de Zayas, during his tenure as the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, where he recommended in paragraph 69 (n) of his 2013 report to the General Assembly that Alaska, Hawaii, Kashmir and other cases be sent to the United Nations Decolonisation Committee for re-enlistment to exercise their right of self-determination.
Ambassador Ronald Barnes remarked that this was followed by the call by Republic of Pakistan during the 2nd cycle Universal Periodic Review of the United States of America to implement paragraph 69 (n) by sending Alaska, Hawaii and the Dakotas to the United Nations Decolonisation Committee. Thus Alaska, Hawaii, Kashmir and others are seeking implementation of the recommendations as well as measures to address the many human rights violations associated with the denial of the right of self-determination, Ambassador Ronald Barnes.
In conclusion, Ambassador Barnes brought to light the Pebble Mine issue where mining companies are attempting to create a hole the size of Manhattan in New York to mine of rare earth minerals, diamonds, gold and other raw materials to which indigenous people are asserting their right and title to Alaska, pointing out that the title to Alaska has yet to be settled since, according to a United Nations report the 1867 Treaty of Cession granted neither title nor jurisdiction to the United States of America.
The conference was primarily attended by journalists together with diplomats and representatives from non-governmental organisations.