Alliance
formed to promote cause of oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir
Geneva
29 October 2014 Embargo
till 1pm
1.
Progressive and like minded
people with forward looking approach on the thorny issue of Jammu and Kashmir
gathered in Geneva, and after two days of deliberations agreed to announce an alliance
called Jammu Kashmir International
Peoples Alliance.
2. The
first day Kashmiri delegates had a long meeting and after detailed discussions
agreed on the Geneva Declaration and its mechanisms to promote the cause of
people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the announcement of the Alliance was made
in the UN in Geneva in the presence of credible and active NGO members.
3. Among
the key objectives of the JKIPA is to speak for all sections of the divided
State of Jammu and Kashmir; and promote peace and tolerance, and help to create
conducive environment where people of Jammu and Kashmir feel safe and can
determine their future, as enshrined in the UNCIP Resolution of 13 August 1948.
4. The
new Kashmiri Alliance enjoys support of many NGOs with consultative status with
the UN Human Rights Council, and who understand the UN mechanism and play
active role to promote cause of peace and fundamental rights of the oppressed
people. These NGOs were present when the Alliance was officially announced in
Geneva; and they assured the JKIPA of their support in promoting cause of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir.
5. The
JKIPA also expressed its determination to unite the divided State, and
establish a democratic and secular society where people belonging to different
religions and ethnic groups can live in peace and harmony. JKIPA leaders said
we believe in empowering the people of Jammu and Kashmir and oppose those who
promote extremism, religious intolerance, violence and hatred.
6. JKIPA
leaders present at the time of launch of this new Alliance stated that the
entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is disputed, as the accession with India was
provisional; and in any case, government of India failed to honour all
obligations assumed under the Provisional Accession. Furthermore, there was no
instrument of accession with Pakistan either by the State Ruler or by areas
illegally controlled by Pakistan, namely Gilgit Baltistan and so called Azad
Kashmir.
7. They
said our struggle is for all people of Jammu and Kashmir, and we want people of
Jammu and Kashmir to be masters of their destiny. We people are the principal
party to the dispute, and we should have the final say on the issue of the
future status of Jammu and Kashmir.
8. JKIPA
leaders said we can understand embedded interests of India and Pakistan in
Jammu and Kashmir, but we do not concur with them; as our interests must be
paramount to interests of our neighbours. We would like to have friendly and
cordial relationship with all our neighbours and promote peace and stability in
the region.
9. South
Asia has a turbulent history where interests of many other countries also clash
with the interests of countries of the region. We don’t want Jammu and Kashmir
or South Asia to be a battleground for new cold war or new ‘Great Game’. We all
have to live in South Asia and face challenges of 21st Century; and
work together to counter threats of terrorism, violence and xenophobia.
10.
JKIPA ascribes to the ideals
of democracy and plural society, as we strongly believe in equal rights for all
citizens of the State of Jammu and Kashmir; and condemn all those who promote
extremism, violence and terrorism.
11.
We believe the Jammu and
Kashmir dispute could not be resolved by use of force by any party; and
previous armed conflicts support our contention. The way forward is to
eliminate the gun culture, free people from oppression and intimidation, and
create conducive environment where all parties to the dispute through a process
of dialogue resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
12.
JKIPA will closely work with
civil societies of India and Pakistan to achieve the above objectives; and liaise
with Think Tanks, the UN and other international bodies and governments with interest
in promoting peace, tolerance and stability in South Asia.
13.
Also JKIPA will endeavour to
enhance peace and harmony among various ethnic and religious groups of Jammu
and Kashmir State; and strengthen cultural identities of all groups.
14.
The delegates present unanimously
elected Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri Secretary General of JKIPA for two years.
Governing Body
15.
JKIPA has established a Governing
Body, which will be highest decision making organ of the alliance; and will
consist of representatives of member parties and NGOs of the JKIPA. The
political parties will have two representatives and the NGOs will have one
representative.
16.
The Governing Body consists
of talented and experienced people with history of a long struggle for the
unification and independence of Jammu and Kashmir; and they expressed their
strong resolve to continue their struggle.
The
following parties and groups have committed to their struggle in light of the
Geneva Declaration:
2.
United Kashmir People National Party
3.
Jammu and Kashmir Unity Forum
4.
Kashmir Diaspora Youth Movement
5.
Friends of Jammu and Kashmir
6.
United Kashmir Thinkers Forum
7.
Kashmiri Institute of Human Rights
8.
International Overseas Association
9.
South Asian Federation
10.
Swiss Kashmir Association
11.
Kashmiri Belgium Association
12.
International Kashmiri Women Front
Newly
elected Secretary General of JKIPA, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri thanked all the
people present in the press briefing; and expressed his gratitude to
constituent parties of the Alliance who trusted him and honoured him with this
post. Shaukat Kashmiri said, ‘He will use his skills and talent to discharge
his responsibilities sincerely, and advance the cause of the Alliance.
Secretary
General JKIPA, Shaukat Kashmir
Issued
by Dr Shabir Choudhry on behalf of JKIPA
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