Resolutions
passed in International Kashmir
Conference on Peace Human Rights and counter terrorism held in Birmingham,
England.
United Kashmir Peoples National Party,
with help and support of international NGOs, Human Rights organisations and
like – minded people organized 2 days International Kashmir Conference to deliberate on issues related to peace,
human rights and counter terrorism.
Renowned human rights activists,
thinkers, lawyers, journalists, authors, progressive political leaders with
forward looking approach, assembled in Birmingham, England to discuss situation
of peace and human rights in forcibly divided State of Jammu and Kashmir; and
formulate appropriate strategies to counter threats to peace and human rights.
Honourable
delegates of this International Kashmir Conference unanimously:
1.
Declare
that 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 former Princely State
of Jammu and Kashmir or South Asia to be a battleground for new cold war or a
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.
2.
Pronounce that the right to life is a fundamental human
right, and this right is violated on both sides of the Line of Control in the
divided State of Jammu and Kashmir. We request people with guns to exercise
restraint, as guns do not provide any solutions, and they add to misery and
suffering of the people;
3.
Condemn terrorism in its all forms and manifestations; and
condemn those who promote extremism, terrorism, intolerance and religious
hatred;
4.
State
that people of Jammu and Kashmir, and
all oppressed nations in Pakistan should unite, and work together to promote peace and tolerance, and help to establish
conducive environment where people can feel safe;
5.
Decide
that we should seek support of international human rights organization, NGOs with consultative status with the UN Human Rights
Council, and activate the UN mechanism to promote cause of peace and
fundamental rights of the oppressed people;
6.
Express their strong resolve that human rights must not be selective. Equality,
human rights and justice must be for all the citizens.
7.
Emphasiseß that we must promote tolerance, egalitarian and
secular ideals where people belonging to diverse ethnic and religious groups
can live in peace and harmony.
8.
Profess to formulate strategies to educate people on issue of human rights, and
empower them that they can protect their fundamental rights; and oppose those
who promote extremism, religious intolerance, violence and hatred.
9.
Affirm to establish a committee to coordinate among
different organisations of the oppressed people, and plan future to create more space for peace and advance the
cause of human rights.
10.
Assert that people of State of Jammu and Kashmir have been
victims of aggression, extremism and violence since 1947. They are forcibly
divided, and continue to suffer on both sides of the Line of Control. This
forced division and suffering must come to an end, as people deserve to enjoy
their fundamental human rights.
11.
Acknowledge that India and Pakistan have interests in Jammu and Kashmir, but we do
not concur with them; as our interests must be paramount, as we are the
principal party to the Jammu and Kashmir
dispute.
12.
Announce that there is no military solution to the Jammu
and Kashmir dispute, and dialogue is the only way forward; and in order to
support the dialogue and peace process among all three parties to the dispute,
politics of gun, fear and intimidation must end.
13.
Reiterate that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is not a
territorial dispute between India and Pakistan; therefore, it could not be
resolved bilaterally. As the Principal party to the dispute, the people of
Jammu and Kashmir must be part of the peace process;
14.
Reaffirm that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a complicated one
with many dimensions, and it may not be possible to resolve it with one stroke,
we therefore, suggest that it should be resolved with step - by- step approach,
and by putting confidence - building measures in place. In this regard, all
traditional routes should be opened that people of the divided State of Jammu
and Kashmir could interact with each other, and strengthen their social,
cultural and economic ties;
15.
Urge the government of Pakistan and India
to respect the State
Subject Notification of 1927, as that Ordinance grants a special status to
people of Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, demand Pakistan to stop violating
this law, and stop settling Pakistanis and Chinese in Gilgit and Baltistan to
change the demography of the area;
16.
Demand government of Pakistan to stop diverting natural route of rivers, as
that creates enormous environment problems, including problems for the wildlife
and human beings who will be deprived of water. Water is fundamental to human
life, and diversion of rivers will very seriously affect their lives; and
people may be forced to migrate from their homes, due to lack of water and
other problems;
17.
Caution government of Pakistan that continued oppression
and injustice may compel people to rise against Pakistan, therefore, it is
prudent to stop exploiting our natural resources, and give us the ownership of
the dams already built within the territory of Jammu and Kashmir State;
18.
Demand Governments of India and Pakistan to
respect and honour civil and political rights of the people of Jammu and
Kashmir State; and also request government of Pakistan to refrain from annexing
areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, as that will further exacerbate the
situation. Instead, we request the government to grant autonomy to both areas
under their control that the elected members could help the local people with
everyday social, political and economic problems;
19.
Support UKPNP’s struggle for united and independent Jammu
and Kashmir with liberal and secular society, where rights of all citizens are
protected, and no citizen is discriminated because of religion, ethnic or
cultural reasons.
20.
Oppose China Pakistan Economic
Corridor, as it is not an economic corridor for the welfare of people of Gilgit
Baltistan, or even for the betterment of people of Pakistan. This mega project
has deep rooted military and strategic agenda, which will endanger peace and
stability of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan and the region. It is sad that
Pakistani ruling elite did not consult the local people of Gilgit Baltistan,
people of Balochistan, Sindh and people of KPK, as a result there is a strong
resentment against the CPEC.
21.
Condemn the Killers of Arif Shahid, renowned human
rights defender and political activist, have not been arrested even after six
years of his murder. We are of the firm opinion that the state spy agencies are
involved in this murder, and successive governments conspicuously avoided to
investigate and arrest the killers. The family of Arif Shahid reported to the
government that the only surviving son of deceased has been threatened many
times that he should not pursue the case, otherwise he will face the same fate.
We demand that the family must be given security;
22.
Demand construction of all mega
dams should stop as they are anti – people and anti-environment. Construction
of mega dams are against the interests of riparian. Before the construction of mega dams the authorities must take
local people in confidence;
23.
Express serious concerns about
continuous practices of enforced disappearances, extra juridical killings and
torture by the state intelligence agencies, and law enforcement forces. There
are reports that the Pakistani army has around sixty torture centres in
Pakistan, including the Pakistani occupied territory of State of Jammu and
Kashmir. The puppet government of the Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir is a
silent spectator, and is not doing anything to protect people. We demand that international
community should intervene in this matter, and must ask the UN Human rights
Commission to investigate the cases of enforced disappearances, extra –
judicial killings and torture;
24.
Observe that hundreds of thousands
of people who are displaced due to different military operations, and mega
projects must be rehabilitated, and resettled according to the constitution of
Pakistan and international norms forth with.
25.
Urge upon the elected representatives of the people, and the Supreme
Judicial Commission that they must ensure the freedom and independence of judiciary,
which to a large extent, is still subservient to the state apparatus;
rather than being an independent institution.
The judiciary must initiate the reforms including the overhauling of criminal
justice system. Also, we demand to repeal 21st amendment of the Constitution
regarding supra constitutional powers given to the judiciary for appointing
Judges. END
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