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PARIS: European parliamentarians today (Friday) urged the European Union (EU) to raise its voice on the “humanitarian situation” in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) and take action.
Sixteen European parliamentarians have written a letter to European Union President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice President Josep Borrell on the “humanitarian situation” in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
“As a champion of universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule-based international order, the EU must raise its voice against the violations of human rights affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the letter stated.
It further stated, “We believe that the EU should use all its leverage and tools to cooperate with our Indian and Pakistani partners to honour the pledge made to the Kashmiris by the international community and create an environment conducive to the implementation of the United Nations resolutions.”
The parliamentarians expressed the resolve to continue their engagements with Pakistani and Indian lawmakers as well as Kashmiri leaders “to impress upon them the urgent need to foster a climate of peace and dialogue in the region”. It also noted that it was extremely important for Kashmiris to be heard and granted the opportunity to decide their own future.
It pointed out that the “miseries of the people of Jammu and Kashmir” had been amply documented in the International Human Rights Watch World Report 2021 and reports by the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018 and 2019.
The lawmakers also noted that the region was already under a lockdown since India revoked its special status on August 5, 2019, and there were restrictions on the rights to movement, information, healthcare, education and free speech.
“Journalists and human rights defenders have been increasingly targeted for raising their voice in support of the Kashmiri people and denouncing their situation. Arbitrary detentions continue, public assembly is still prohibited and hundreds, including minors and several elected legislators of Jammu and Kashmir, remain under preventive detention,” the letter underlined.