US as a promoter and protector of human rights must help Kashmiris
Posted By Zaheerul Hassan
“The current Indian policy aim is to: (i) use brute force against Kashmiris to break their will and to impose collective punishment; (ii) close all doors for talks with Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership. Therefore, it is all the more important for the Kashmiri diaspora to connect with the American Government and people to highlight the Indian atrocities,” stated Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Kashmir during a large gathering of Kashmiri expatriate in greater Washington area.
The President appreciated the community for its unwavering commitment to the cause of Kashmir in the United States. He also commended them for the recent demonstration outside the White House which reportedly attracted a large number of people including Kashmiri Americans and friends of Kashmir.
He impressed upon the community that it was their responsibility to reach out to American people especially youth to educate them about the continuing tyranny and atrocities of Indian forces in Jammu & Kashmir.
President Khan highlighted the plight of Kashmiris facing Indian brutalities on daily basis for the last 70 years. The current scenario in Indian Occupied Kashmir is grave. India is committing human rights violation beside perpetrating crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide of Kashmiri people.
The President underscored that the United States is pivotal in the international system, a permanent member of United Nations Security Council and a promoter and protectors of human rights.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum said that the people of Kashmir face the kind and extent of suffering that has not been inflicted on any other people in that part of the world. This is a direct result both of Indian cruelty and the indifference of the international community. As unarmed peace-loving Kashmiri civilians continue to be massacred, India draws strength and encouragement from the passivity and inaction of the international community. The world powers need to know that uncertainty over Kashmir will lead not only India and Pakistan to disaster but it will also destroy any possibility of bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan.
Fai added that India wants Kashmir issue to be buried under the rug when the issue is raised in the international community by alleging that it is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and no one else’s business. It could be strictly a bilateral issue if forthrightness was involved.
“It is the primary responsibility of the world powers including the leader of the unipolar world – United States – to make sure that both India and Pakistan realize that their inability to resolve the Kashmir dispute for the last 70 years has led to a growing international nuclear crisis. The refusal by India to sit down to the table with Pakistan and those who represent the Kashmiri sentiments indicate that India is not even close to addressing the realities of Kashmir and the will of the people. This must change. And that can happen only when global community will pursue its long and proud tradition of upholding the causes of human rights and dignity. Kashmir calls urgently for initiatives in accordance with that tradition,” Fai stressed.
Senator (Dr.) Akbar Khawaja pleaded that the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir has the international sanctity because of the multiple resolutions that were adopted at the United Nations Security Council. The time has come that one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the Security Council – Kashmir – need to be resolved in accordance with the wishes and will of the people.
Arif Khan emphasized that the brutalities of Indian government cannot and should not go unnoticed. It is the responsibility of the Kashmiri diaspora to be the voice of voiceless people in the corridors of powers here in Washington, D.C.
Sardar Zubair Khan condemned the use of ruthless force by Indian army to kill the civilians in Kashmir. He mentioned the atrocious killing of Asifa whose abduction and rape shock the conscience of the whole world.
Sardar Zarif Khan paid the tribute to those unsung heroes in Indian Occupied Kashmir who gave their today for the betterment of tomorrow. He said that silence of the world powers has given immunity to the Indian army in Kashmir.
Sardar Zulfiqar Roshan Khan, the emcee of the event thanked the participants for responding to the call and expressing solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir.
The event was hosted by Raja Liaqat Kiyani, businessman from Maryland at his residence which is known as ‘Kashmir House’.
