NEW YORK: Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Munir Akram, condemned Indian Illegal Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as a “worst manifestation of modern-day colonialism” during a UN General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonisation (Fourth) Committee meeting on Tuesday. Akram called on the UN to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He pointed out that while 80 former colonies have gained independence since 1946, some people are still denied the right to self-determination such to Kashmiris in IIJOK and Palestine. The right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people is explicitly recognized in UNSC Resolution 47 and subsequent resolutions, which stipulate that the final fate of the state of the Jammu and Kashmir should be determined through a free and fair referendum conducted under UN auspices. Both India and Pakistan accepted these resolutions, and under Article 25 of the UN Charter, both are obligated to implement them.
Akram also stressed that lasting peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a viable, independent, and contiguous State of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.
India Violating UN Resolutions in Occupied Kashmir
Regarding Kashmir, he noted that India has avoided implementing UN resolutions for 75 years, using force and deception. Since 1989, India’s campaign of repression has claimed the lives of 100,000 Kashmiris. Since August 5, 2019, India has taken unilateral and illegal steps to annex occupied Kashmir, which it refers to as a “final solution.” Ambassador Akram emphasized that such actions are illegal and null and void under UN Resolution 122 (1957), and India has deployed over 900,000 troops in the region, conducting extrajudicial killings, abductions, and disappearances. India is also attempting to change the demographics of the region, causing concern about possible genocide in Jammu and Kashmir and against Muslims in India. Akram urged India to halt human rights violations, reverse demographic changes, and rescind the illegal measures imposed since August 5, 2019, in order to create conditions for a peaceful settlement.
He reminded the UN and its member states of their obligation to promote a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute based on UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
