SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has declared that Kashmiris will observe January 5 as Right to Self-Determination Day, marking the historical resolution by the UN Security Council in 1949.
The APHC plans to organize protest demonstrations, rallies, seminars, and various programs to draw global attention to the urgency of resolving the longstanding Kashmir dispute. The APHC emphasized that the unresolved Kashmir issue raises questions about the credibility of the United Nations, urging the organization to implement its resolutions on Kashmir promptly.
The 1949 UN resolution stated that the accession of the State of Jammu & Kashmir to India or Pakistan would be decided through a free and impartial plebiscite. Despite seven decades passing, the promised plebiscite remains unfulfilled, contributing to the ongoing unrest in the region. India’s deployment of over one million troops in Kashmir has transformed the area into a virtual prison, with allegations of human rights abuses, including killings, destruction of homes, and mistreatment.
The statement from the APHC highlighted the intensified brutality since August 5, 2019, following the revocation of Article 370. The Hindutva BJP-RSS regime’s actions, such as issuing domiciles to non-Kashmiris and implementing anti-Kashmir and anti-Muslim laws, are seen as attempts to erase Kashmiri identity, culture, and land. The APHC called on Kashmiris and Pakistanis worldwide to organize large-scale protest demonstrations, urging the global community, especially the UN, to take concrete steps for a lasting resolution to the Kashmir conflict.
In Islamabad, APHC AJK convenor Mehmood Ahmed Saghar emphasized that the UN resolutions of January 5 provide the foundation for resolving the Kashmir conflict. The APHC condemned the imposition of bans on Tehreek Hurriyat, Muslims League, and other pro-freedom organizations, viewing these measures as signs of frustration from the Hindutva regime. The leaders affirmed that such tactics have failed to silence the voice of Kashmiris in the past and are destined to fail in the future.
