ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, which marks the 5th anniversary of India’s illegal annexation of Kashmir, prominent Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Shamim Shawl has made a compelling call for global solidarity and urgent intervention to address the ongoing human rights crisis in the region.
Speaking to PTV News Channel on Sunday, Shawl emphasized the need for a revised and humane Kashmir policy that prioritizes the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
In her appeal, Shawl urged the international community to act decisively to end the Indian occupation of Kashmir and to address the severe human rights violations taking place. She highlighted the moral obligation of the global community to ensure that Kashmiris’ right to self-determination is respected and their fundamental freedoms are protected.
“On Youm-e-Istehsal, a day that marks the illegal annexation of Kashmir by India, I call upon the world to stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir,” Shawl stated. “The world cannot afford to remain silent spectators to the atrocities being committed against the Kashmiri people.”
Shawl’s appeal comes amid increasing reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture in Kashmir. She described the current situation as a state of siege, where basic freedoms are curtailed and the voices of the Kashmiri people are silenced. She called for immediate international action to end the occupation and restore freedom and dignity to the Kashmiri people.
“The international community must recognize the gravity of the situation and take concrete steps to address the Kashmir issue,” Shawl asserted. “We need a solution that is acceptable to the Kashmiri people, not one that is imposed upon us.”
Shawl also called on Pakistani political parties to devise a comprehensive approach to Kashmir and bring a new, empathetic Kashmir Policy before Parliament. She stressed that such a policy should be grounded in justice and a firm commitment to human rights.
The crisis in Kashmir has been exacerbated since August 5, 2019, when the Indian government illegally and unilaterally revoked the special status of the region, leading to widespread unrest and a severe clampdown on civil liberties.
