Mirwaiz addresses UNHRC

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday termed as ‘tragic’ on part of India to recognize internationally mandated “disputed” status of Jammu and Kashmir while as underlined the 63-year-old issue cannot be resolved in bilateral negotiation between India and Pakistan.   “The most tragic aspect of the present situation is the Indian government’s refusal to recognize the internationally mandated status of Jammu and Kashmir as a dispute to which there are three parties: India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said while addressing a seminar, titled, “Defending the Will of the People” during the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.He said that that India will get nowhere by explaining away Kashmir as a “terrorist problem” created by Pakistan and the forces of Islamic fundamentalism. “India’s problem of Kashmir will not have gone away simply because the movement in Kashmir is a popular, indigenous and non violent one,” he said vowing that the people of Jammu & Kashmir were determined to present the peaceful objectives to the internaitonal community, led by the United Nations.  “Our political consciousness is embodied in ‘the All Parties Hurriyet Conference’  and our objective is to determine a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict through dialogue, with the participation of all parties – Governments of India, Pakistan and the leadership of the people of the State of Jammu & Kashmir. APHC’s view is one of inclusion. APHC believes that there is nothing to be gained by isolating groups with varying opinions including minorities.”As per a statement, Mirwaiz reminded the audience that the people of Kashmir need their help in persuading India and Pakistan that Kashmir cannot be resolved bilaterally. “The experience of last 63 years proves that all bilateral talks failed because the Kashmiri people were never party to these talks. The time has come that the talks need to be tripartite between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership.” He said that the amalgam believes that Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through military might. “It is a political issue and has to be resolved through peaceful negotiations. APHC also believes that peace process between India & Pakistan; and killings in Kashmir cannot go together. In this regard, APHC has submitted to the Government of India a proposal to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.” He also reiterated the demands including the complete withdrawal of military presence from the towns and villages’; unconditional release of all political prisoners; immediate repeal of all draconian laws, including ‘The Jammu Kashmir Disturbed Area Act’ and ‘Public Safety Act.’Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai said that ‘The Will of the People’ must prevail in all international situations where the United Nations promised a people a referendum to decide their future but which have not yet been carried out. He quoted to the Article 21 / 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, “The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government.” Dr. Fai referred to United Nations Security Council resolution number 47 of 1948 which says that the future of Kashmir must be decided in accordance with the wishes and the will of the people.Others who spoke during the seminar included, Dr. Karen Parker, IED Delegate to the United Nations; Dr. Ahmed Abdellatti, IIFSO, Secretary General; Mohmaad Abdel Wahid Ghanem, Exiled Leader, Egypt; Dr. Waleed Albanany, Al-Nahda Movement, Tunisia; Logman Ahmadi, Congress of Nationalities for the Federated Iran; Mr. Amjad Yousuf, Kashmir Institute of International Relations; Dr. Ayman Ahmed Ali, Egypt; Mr. Ali S. Khan, Executive Director, Kashmiri Scanidavian Council, Norway and Barrister Majid Tramboo, Executive Director, Kashmir Center, Brussels.