Article: Commemorating Human Rights Day: Delusory Reassurance for Kashmiris
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
In order to mark the Human rights Day, 2024, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights said “this year’s UN Human Rights campaign focuses on how human rights are a pathway to solutions, as they play a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good, particularly in times of crises…By establishing, recognising, and adhering to a common set of values and principles that apply universally, human rights help to avoid violations, conflicts, and abuses before they happen…Further, human rights are not merely abstract ideas. They offer concrete norms, laws and a vital framework that protect against abuses, violations, and other harms, ensuring everyone, everywhere can live in dignity and respect.”
“If we were to judge the UN-based upon its history of involvement in efforts to resolve international conflicts, the simplest answer is that it has been an enormous failure. The UN of course is a far more complex organization whose work covers such a wide range of activities that conflict resolution is only one aspect of its work. Nevertheless, if we consider the fact that its fundamental mission was to be a means of preventing global catastrophes like WW II, then conflict resolution would have to be considered job one. The presence of the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ and other human rights instruments offers no consolation for the people of Kashmir because its framers have not lived up to its spirit, at least applying it selectively to suit the objectives of certain powers,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Day,
Fai, however, echoed the sentiments of Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations who said on December 6, 2024 “On Human Rights Day, we face a harsh truth. Human rights are under assault…Conflicts are intensifying. International law is wilfully ignored…On this important day, let’s protect, defend and uphold all human rights for all people.”
“It is time that the UN Secretary-General intercedes in the disputed territory (so listed by the UN), appoints a special envoy on Kashmir, and insists that the genuine political voice of the Kashmiri people, be a full partner in all negotiations over Kashmir’s political destiny. As we all know that the Kashmir dispute is not about territory but the destiny of a people. And if indeed we believe that this is an issue about people and their aspirations then it is logical that their involvement becomes central. A solution that does not meet with the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiris and is forced on them will be short lived and in the long run will neither suit India nor Pakistan,” Fai warned.
“The people of Kashmir do not wish anybody to take a partisan side. Kashmiris are convinced, nevertheless, that impartial observers would support the Kashmir cause based on universal principles, democratic values, rule of law and international justice. It is high time that all concerned parties — India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri leadership — sit together and chalk out a strategy for the sake of peace and stability in the region of South Asia. Because ultimately, the negotiations, not violence, is the only way to resolve the Kashmir conflict, and that Kashmiris cannot be excluded from the negotiating table if a peace process is to be serious, meaningful, and result-oriented,” Fai maintained.
Fai brought to the attention of the world powers that India, which is flouting international law and morality, must be made to abide by the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which it is a signatory. The unbearable suffering of the people of Kashmir cannot be brought to an end, and not the constant danger to regional peace removed unless concerted pressure is brought on the Indian Government to turn to the path of sanity and civilized conduct. It would be in the long-term interest of India itself.
The Kashmiris’ demand is very simple. They want to be free of military occupation and to decide their future by a democratic vote, impartially supervised. A mechanism for the exercise of this right has already been defined by the United Nations Security Council. This mechanism needs to be activated and implemented. Once the international community takes the civilized course of ascertaining the wishes of the Kashmiri people, we are confident that peace and security can be restored to the troubled land of Jammu and Kashmir and the ground prepared for the enjoyment of human rights not only of the people of Jammu and Kashmir but the people of the region of South Asia – home to one-fifth of total human race.
Dr. Fai is also the Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum.
He can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org
