Written evidence submitted by Mohammad
Ghalib, All Parties International Kashmir Co-ordinating Committee
Thank you for your letter of 12 December, 2006
and providing an opportunity to submit my written evidence to
the committee on its inquiry into South Asia with particular reference
to on going peace process between India and Pakistan. I would
like to take this opportunity to draw your kind attention towards
the following:
Despite series of Confidence Building Measures
(CBMs) by two countries, no CBM was taken by India inside occupied
Kashmir as Kashmiris continued to be oppressed because the whole
process is not Kashmir- centric. India should have reduced presence
of its troops in Kashmir as a part of Confidence Building Measures.
Through CBMs, the whole idea of composite dialogue became a futile
exercise as there was no progress on basic issue of Kashmir, unless
both India and Pakistan involve the credible leadership of APHC
and militant groups seriously in any dialogues.
The atrocities of Indian security forces are
continuing and there are no let up in constant victimisation of
the Kashmiri people. During frequent siege and search operations,
house raids and so-called identity parades arrest of innocent
people, mostly youth, is still order of the day.
The International community particularly the
Britain has a crucial role to play to end the deadlock on Kashmir
issue. The failure of India and Pakistan in integrating Kashmiri
people through their representatives in the dialogue process and
any positive response on Pakistan's proposal for demilitarisation
of Kashmir by India further indicate that New Delhi is not prepared
to solve the Kashmir issue on the basis of justice and right of
self determination of Kashmir people that has been recognised
by world community in UN Security Council's resolutions passed
in different occasions.
The Labour Party has Kashmir policy in its party
manifesto as well as on human rights issues but unfortunately
that policy had never been reflected in the government policies.
Similarly the party also failed to raise voice in favour of Kashmiri
peoples' right of self determination or against the flagrant violation
of their rights in Kashmir since it formally adopted the policy
in 1995. The unresolved Kashmir issue and abuses of human rights
in the held territory badly affect the lives of over a half million
Kashmiri community in Great Britain and they can decide their
future political course of action if Labour government continue
to ignore the Kashmir conflict.
You are requested that the issues mentioned
above should be deliberated upon by Great Britain while formulating
a foreign policy towards South Asia so that peace and stability
could be ensured in the region by resolving the dispute of Kashmir
according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
All Parties International Kashmir Co-ordinating
Committee
1 January 2007
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