Kashmir Conflict, Peace, Security and Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Shabir Choudhry

 Kashmir Conflict, Peace, Security and Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Shabir Choudhry

On the above topic, Dr Shabir Choudhry delivered the following speech at an international Conference held in the Boothroyd Room of the British Parliament.

 

In the name of the Almighty, I begin.

 

Honourable Members of Parliament, Lords, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Salam and good afternoon to you all.

 

Mr Chairman

It is an honour and privilege to address this important conference on the Kashmir conflict—a conflict that has persisted for over seven decades and continues to pose a grave threat to regional peace, security, and the fundamental human rights of millions.

 

Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), and to Richard Burgon MP for hosting this vital gathering in the heart of British democracy—the Palace of Westminster.

 

We are here not to dwell on the past with bitterness, but to reflect on how this prolonged conflict has robbed generations of their rights, their voice, and their dignity—and to advocate for a peaceful, just, and inclusive resolution.

 

The Background

 

The Kashmir conflict is one of the oldest unresolved disputes on the agenda of the United Nations. What began as a princely state’s troubled accession in 1947 has devolved into a nuclear flashpoint involving three powers—India, Pakistan, and China—and a fourth, often overlooked stakeholder: the people of Jammu & Kashmir, including Gilgit-Baltistan and so-called “Azad” Kashmir.

 

Successive wars, ceasefire violations, insurgencies, counter-insurgencies, and military occupations have turned this once-beautiful land into one of the most militarised zones on earth. And with each passing year, the human cost mounts.

 

Peace and Security: Whose Security?

 

Peace and security are often spoken of in diplomatic parlance, but we must ask, whose security are we protecting? Is it the security of states, or the security of the ordinary people who suffer on both sides of the divide?

 

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have endured decades of insecurity, not merely from cross-border skirmishes or terrorism, but from structural violence, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on movement, censorship, and institutionalised impunity.

 

In Indian-administered Kashmir, particularly since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, we have witnessed the erosion of autonomy, mass detentions, and the silencing of civil society and journalism. A communication blackout lasting months showed the world that in the digital age, entire populations can be rendered voiceless with the flip of a switch.

 

In Pakistan-administered areas—including so-called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan—democratic freedoms are also stifled. Political dissent is criminalised, local leaders who advocate for self-determination are harassed or imprisoned, and people are treated more as geopolitical pawns than citizens with rights and aspirations.

 

And in Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin, the story is even more opaque—an area militarised and closed, with minimal public scrutiny.

 

Human Rights: Not a Western Concept, but a Universal Principle

 

Some say human rights is a Western narrative imposed on non-Western contexts. I say: tell that to the mother who lost her son to a stray bullet. Tell that to the father whose daughter was raped in a fake encounter. Tell that to the youth who grows up under curfew, surveillance, and fear.

 

Human rights are not foreign concepts. They are as native to Kashmiris as the mountains and rivers of their homeland. These include:

1)   The right to life and liberty,

 

2)   The right to education and expression,

 

3)   The right to political participation,

 

4)   And most importantly, the right to determine one’s own future.

 

Let me be clear—there can be no peace without justice, and there can be no security without dignity.

 

The Missing Voice: The People of Jammu & Kashmir

 

One of the greatest tragedies of this conflict is that those most affected—the people of Jammu & Kashmir—have been consistently marginalised from dialogue.

 

Whether it is bilateral talks between India and Pakistan or multilateral forums, Kashmiris are often spoken about but rarely spoken to.

 

We must change that. Any sustainable solution must centre the voices of all regions—Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and so-called Azad Kashmir. It must include women, youth, minorities, and the diaspora.

 

A peace process that excludes Kashmiris is not a peace process. It can be called a gimmick or geopolitical negotiation. It is a joke to fool the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The Role of the International Community

 

Today, I stand in the heart of British democracy—a country that has a historic role in the subcontinent and an ongoing responsibility to uphold the values it claims to cherish democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

 

The international community, particularly the UK, must move beyond symbolic concern and take concrete steps:

1.  Support Independent Investigations into human rights violations by all parties, be it Indian forces, Pakistani agencies, or non-state actors.

2.  Facilitate an Inclusive Dialogue that includes all stakeholders, especially indigenous Kashmiri voices.

3.  End the Culture of Impunity by holding states accountable under international law and conventions.

         4.      Empower Civil Society, media, and human rights defenders in all parts of Jammu & Kashmir.

 

A Way Forward: Principles for Peace

 

Let us not be trapped by the rigid frameworks of the past. We must imagine a new architecture for peace built on the following principles:

1.   Demilitarisation: Reduce the presence of armed forces and allow civilian governance to take root.

 

2.   Democratic Empowerment: Hold free, fair elections in all regions and allow political parties to function without intimidation.

 

3.   Human Rights Mechanisms: Establish independent ombudsman bodies and allow access to the UN and international observers.

 

4.   Economic and Cultural Integration: Let trade, travel, and tourism reconnect communities divided by artificial borders.

 

5.   Transnational Dialogue: Encourage people-to-people contact between the divided regions of Jammu & Kashmir.

 

A Moral Appeal

 

Let us not forget, peace is not simply the absence of war. Peace is the presence of justice. Peace is the ability of a people to dream of a better tomorrow, without fear.

 

And so, I make this appeal not only as a citizen of the world, but as a human being: let us not allow another generation of Kashmiris to grow up in fear, silence, and hopelessness.

 

Let us be the generation that chose courage over comfort, justice over expediency, and humanity over hegemony.

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, the conflict in Jammu & Kashmir is not only a political dispute; it is a human tragedy that continues to unfold. But it is also an opportunity—a test of our commitment to the values we profess.

 

Let this conference be not just a moment, but a movement. Let it inspire policymakers, activists, academics, and ordinary citizens to demand a resolution that is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

 

Because the people of Jammu & Kashmir deserve nothing less.

 

Thank you, Mr Chairman.