Brussels, February 20 (KMS): Speakers at an official meeting arranged by the European Parliament have called for implementation of recommendations put forth in the June 2018 report of the United Nations’ Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) to conduct a comprehensive and independent and international investigation of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.
The official meeting was organized by Sub-Committee of Human Right of the European Parliament on Tuesday, 19th February 2019 in Brussels. The participants highlighted the terrible human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and reiterated the demand for establishing the inquiry commission in the light of OHCHR’s recommendations on Kashmir.
Such formal gathering on Kashmir was for the first time after 2007 during which the issue of Kashmir was discussed publically at the EU parliament. The Tuesday’s discussion at EU Parliament Sub-committee specifically focused on the June 2018 report of the United Nations’ Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) on Kashmir.
The Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU), Ali Raza Syed who attended the function in a statement in Brussels described it as a significant development in the context of Kashmir dispute. He said, this historic gathering on human rights violations of the Kashmiris at the EU Parliament would have a great impact in Europe in the context of rights of the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ali Raza Syed also highly appreciated the efforts of member of European parliament (MEP) Mr Wajid Khan for effectively raising Kashmir issue in Europe. He said the meeting on the human rights violations in Kashmir at EU’s parliament human rights committee is an international recognition of rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ms. Christine Chung, one of the authors of the report, who was specially invited for the occasion by the sub-committee, in her comments, highlighted the terrible human rights situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and reiterated the OHCHR’s recommendations for establishing a commission of inquiry to conduct a comprehensive and independent international investigation of human rights violations in Kashmir. Participants of the gathering praised the report and emphasized for implementation of its recommendations.
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan was also among the speakers.
A seminar was also hosted by MEP Mr Wajid Khan at EU parliament on Tuesday during which he appreciated the efforts of AJK’s PM Raja Farooq Haider Khan and Kashmir Council EU on Kashmir dispute.
Ali Raza Syed urged the international community to take necessary measures to stop human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. The world community especially the United Nation and EU should come forward and take step for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Meanwhile, a conference on Kashmir held at European Parliament in Brussels. It was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Self Determination Movement International in collaboration with Friends of Kashmir in European Parliament. The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider participated in the conference as chief guest.