The International Kashmir Conference held under the auspices of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK From: Mohammad Ghalib
BIRMINGHAM: 26 July 2010: The International Kashmir Conference held under the auspices of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK has concluded with approval of a declaration calling upon international community to adopt a pro-active approach to resolve Kashmir dispute amicably and equitably.
The Birmingham declaration urged upon world community including United States and United Kingdom to impress upon India to respect humanity and fundamental human rights of Kashmiri people and immediately stop brutal use of force against non-violent civilians, cease extra-judicial executions and end unlawful detentions of pro-freedom political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.
It expressed grave concern over the flaccid attitude of world community, which exalt India-Pakistan talks but overlooks the reign of terror let loose by Indian forces. It asserted that terrorism and peace talks can not go side by side.
The declaration re-emphasized that the goal of lasting peace and stability in South Asian region and normal ties between India and Pakistan can not be achieved without honourable and just solution of Kashmir dispute on the basis of the principle of right of self-determination. The conference demanded of Pakistan government to link just and permanent settlement of Kashmir as pre-requisite to establish all kind of ties with India.
It rejected and condemned Indian sinister campaign to dub Kashmir liberation struggle as terrorist movement to deceive the international community. The declaration further said that people of Kashmir struggling against foreign rule and their struggle is legal, justified and legitimate under international norms and is in accordance with the United Nations Charters, it added.
The declaration rejected self governance, limited internal autonomy, so-called elections under Indian constitution, division of Kashmir and all other vague options and asserted that these proposals negate internationally recognized right of self-determination, which is first and last option for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Conference called for immediate end to state terrorism, abolition of draconian laws, withdrawal of Indian military and paramilitary forces from heavily populated areas, release of political leaders and workers, freedom of expression and respect to human rights as pre-requisite for initiating dialogues with India. The leadership of the Kashmiri people should be integral component of any dialogue as they are the fundamental party to the dispute.
The declaration called for revival of the role of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir as base of freedom struggle and urged the state government to extend all moral and material support to struggling people of Occupied Kashmir. The Conference regretted over the failure of world community and the institutions responsible to maintain peace and preserve human rights and calls on international community, OIC and other global powers to exercise their influence to immediately bring to an end wave of repression against people of Kashmir and avert a possible disastrous war between the two nuclear powers of the region.
The Kashmir Conference saluted the people of Kashmir for their heroic struggle and the great sacrifices they rendered for achieving their right of self-determination. It resolved not to let any individual or group to betray the sacred blood of 100,000 martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile senior leader of Kashmir Freedom movement and Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani said people of Jammu and Kashmir are united to take their struggle to its logical end. Geelani who sent a message from Cheshama Shahi Jail, which was read out in Birmingham Conference said India is conspiring to defame Kashmir’s just struggle for right to self determination and urged the participants of the conference to effectively counter the negative propaganda against freedom movement. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to Tehreek-e-Kashmir for organizing such successful event.