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Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: [email protected]).
On Jan. 5, 1949, the U.N. passed a resolution identifying the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and neutral plebiscite under the global body's auspices. Every year, residents on both sides of the Line of Control mark this day as the Right to Self-Determination Day.
Pakistan was prepared to play its role in ensuring a plebiscite undertaking in line with U.N. commitments. On Jan. 5, 1949, the U.N. approved a resolution recognizing the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UNSC. The significance of the inalienable right to self-determination has been acknowledged in all critical human rights agreements and decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. Due to Indian stubbornness, the U.N. Security Council has failed to fulfill its pledge to the Kashmiri people, a legal binding and must be implemented without any further delay.
India's Jammu and Kashmir occupation is illegal, with Delhi's brutality intensifying after it scrapped the disputed region's special autonomy on Aug. 5, 2019. "Around 900,000 occupation forces have transformed the region into the largest open prison in the world. Around 8 million people are under siege. It is the largest curfew that has halted the life of 8 million people. Post-Aug. 5, 2019, India has unleashed a new reign of terror in India Occupied Kashmir, locking the region down and abusing innocent people's human rights, especially women, children the elderly, with impunity. Kashmir is entirely blackout and isolated from the rest of the world. Internet and mobile phone services have been adjourned. No journalist or foreigner is allowed to travel to Kashmir. Before imposing Curfew on Aug. 5, India has asked all visitors and tourists to leave Kashmir.
Kashmiri people on both sides of the line of control are the same people and bonded with blood relations divided by force by Indian troops. Pakistan has a firm commitment to extend moral and political, and diplomatic support on humanitarian grounds to justify Kashmiri people's struggle for their right of self-determination, which was granted by the United Nations.
Indian action on Aug. 5, 2019, the suspension of the legal status of Kashmir is against the UNSC resolution, against the spirit of the Simla Agreement, and any norms of the international community. Kashmir is a recognized disputed territory among China, Pakistan, and India. Unilateral action by India is considered a severe violation of International law.
India used all dirty tactics to suppress the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination, including excessive use of force. Around 1 million Indian-troops are deployed in Kashmir, but, for the last 72 years, India failed to change the mind-set of the Kashmiri people and could not succeed in suppressing their struggle. India must have learned the lesson that the People of Kashmir cannot be suppressed. Sooner or later, India has to surrender and leave Kashmir for Kashmiris. The sooner is, the better.
As usual, this year, the Kashmiri has marked this day too. According to the Kashmir Media Service, Kashmiris across the world marked the Right to Self-Determination Day with a pledge to continue their struggle until the Kashmir dispute had been resolved through a free and impartial plebiscite under the patronages of the United Nations. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) of Srinagar said that the United Nations Security Council's resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir had legitimized the struggle of the Kashmiri people to accomplish their right to self-determination. "These resolutions are testimony to the fact that the Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir was unjustified, illegal, and against all norms and standards of international law." Indian atrocities has been uncited any where in the human history.
The APHC appealed to the international community, mainly the United Nations, to conduct an independent plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir so that the Kashmiris can decide their future themselves. The APHC also condemned the nonstop uninterrupted lockdown of the territory by the Indian government.
Trust, nations, and individuals with human consciousness may raise their voice in favor of Kashmiris, and their suffering may reach an end soon. Immediate lifting of the curfew, withdrawal of one million troops from Kashmir, and stop the violation of human rights in Kashmir are the urgent steps to be taken by India. India should not deny the legitimate right of self-determination of Kashmir people, given them by the UNSC.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
