Resolutions passed in a Brussels Conference

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Resolutions passed in a Brussels Conference

This conference, held in Brussels, and attended by political leaders, human rights defenders, writers and scholars and representatives of civil society belonging to different countries in Brussels on 23 October 2018, pays sincere tribute to Madam Naila Khaneen for her heroic struggle against forces of occupation; and against those who promote extremism, terrorism, violence and religious intolerance.

This Conference after detailed deliberations and interactive dialogue unanimously:

1.   Declare that 22 October is a Black Day in history of Jammu and Kashmir, as it was on this day Pakistan unilaterally violated a written agreement with the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and launched an attack to capture a small neighbour;

2.   Assert that this unprovoked aggression, not only killed tens of thousands of innocent citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, but it also resulted in forced division of our motherland, hence all the suffering we have endured since 1947 on both sides of the divide;

3.   Clarify a crucial point that the Indian forces came to Jammu and Kashmir on the request of the Maharaja, and after a written agreement. They came to save life, liberty and property of the people; and their presence cannot be equated with the aggressor who attacked our motherland with intention of capturing the State;

4.   Remind government of Pakistan that Gilgit Baltistan is a disputed territory, and is legally and constitutionally part of former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir; and Pakistan has no right to change its legal status;

5.   Notify the government of Pakistan that any attempt to change legal status of Gilgit Baltistan will be resisted, as this encroachment could lead to more tension and more trouble in the region;

6.   Condemn human rights abuses in Gilgit Baltistan, in Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and in various parts of Pakistan; and demand that all political prisoners must be released immediately;

7.   Criticise the strategy employed by Pakistan and China to impose the CPEC by ignoring sentiments and requirements of the ordinary people in Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan;

8.   Demand immediate halt on all the CPEC projects until the local people of Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan are taken on board, and these projects are customised to empower the local people;

9.   Caution people of Pakistan that the CPEC has hidden agenda, and is not in the best interests of Pakistan and its sovereignty; and will have a far reaching negative impact on culture, politics and society of Pakistan;

10.                 Denounce policy of harbouring armed terrorist and religious groups to target religious and ethnic minorities, and to use them as a foreign policy tool to commit acts of violence in other countries;

11.                 Urge government of Pakistan not to exploit natural resources of so called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan; and make appropriate arrangements to rectify the cruel act of depriving people of Muzaffarabad region clean drinking water by building Neelam Jhelum dam.

12.                 Deplore strict restrictions imposed on freedom of expression, and in this context, condemn banning of books and newspapers; and demand that this ban must be lifted without any delay;