‘Human Rights for All: Amplify Kashmir’s Voice to the World’
Friends of Kashmir International hosts webinar on Kashmir
Islamabad: Friends of Kashmir International organized a webinar titled “Human Rights for All: Amplify Kashmir’s Voice to the World” in connection with International Human Rights Day.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the session was moderated by the Vice Chairman of Friends of Kashmir International, Abdul Hameed Lone.
The keynote address was delivered by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, who emphasized the significance of 2025 when Pakistan will attain observer membership in the United Nations Security Council. He urged Pakistan to utilize this opportunity to highlight the Kashmir issue and garner international support.
Chairperson of Peace and Culture Organization, Mishal Hussain Malik, shed light on the ongoing human rights violations in Kashmir. She appealed for global cooperation to raise awareness about her husband Yasin Malik’s plight, who remains in Indian custody, allegedly facing severe mistreatment.
Research Officer Tayyiba Khurshid from the Centre for International Strategic Studies (AJK) focused on the impact of India’s draconian laws in Kashmir and the broader region, where minorities face systemic discrimination. She proposed youth activism and a cohesive strategy to effectively address the Kashmir issue.
Abdul Hameed Lone, Vice Chairman of Friends of Kashmir International, highlighted the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, a comprehensive human rights charter. He criticized India’s failure to uphold the declaration in Kashmir, noting that life under occupation is marked by repression and fear. He called for a unified voice against state-sponsored terrorism in the region.
Senior anchorperson Yasir Rehman explored the multidimensional aspects of the Kashmir conflict at local, national, regional, and international levels. He discussed India’s propaganda efforts to polarize communities in AJK and stressed the need for economic opportunities to address grievances among AJK’s youth.
Muzzammil Ayub Thakur, President of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, discussed the challenges faced by the diaspora in keeping the Kashmir issue relevant, particularly in the UK. He urged Pakistan and AJK to prioritize Kashmir in their agendas.
The session concluded with remarks from Friends of Kashmir International Chairperson Ghazala Habib, who expressed gratitude to the speakers. She proposed establishing an action committee to devise solid plans for raising the Kashmir issue on multiple platforms. She also appealed to the international community for the release of Kashmiri political prisoners, including Aasiya Andrabi, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, and others held in Indian jails.
Other notable speakers included All Parties Hurriyat Conference General Secretary Pervez Ahmad Shah, who emphasized the need for unwavering commitment to Kashmir’s freedom struggle.
