Key Points
- UK Parliament debate urges recognition of Kashmir as an international dispute
- MPs call for end to human rights violations in Indian-Occupied Kashmir
- Over 40 MPs have backed EDM 2184 on Kashmir Black Day
- Debate emphasizes human rights in UK-India trade talks
- Cross-party push for a peaceful, Kashmiri-led solution
LONDON: Lawmakers in the Parliament of the United Kingdom have urged the British government to recognise Kashmir as an international dispute rather than a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.
The debate on Kashmir was held on International Human Rights Day, urging the British government to recognise that Kashmir is not a bilateral issue but an international dispute.
The session was initiated by Imran Hussain, Member of Parliament for Bradford East and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir.
Around 25 MPs participated, including Afzal Khan, Jeremy Corbyn, Andy McDonald, Gareth Snell, Jim Shannon, Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan, Richard Burgon, Muhammad Iqbal, Tahir Ali, Abtisam Mohamed, among others, according to Express Tribune.
UK Minister Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, responded to questions raised by MPs during the debate.
The MPs called on the UK Government to reaffirm its commitment to UN resolutions, press for an end to human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and ensure independent observers are granted access to the region.
They also emphasized that human rights protections should be central to any UK-India trade negotiations and encouraged renewed international diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful, just, and lasting solution based on the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
As part of his wider campaign, Imran Hussain tabled Early Day Motion (EDM) 2184 on Kashmir Black Day, which has already garnered signatures from over 40 MPs. He also organised a cross-party letter from 50 MPs to the Prime Minister, urging a stronger UK stance on Kashmir.
Fahim Kayani, President of the All-Party Kashmir Alliance UK and Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, attended the debate as an observer. He expressed gratitude to all participating MPs, reaffirmed the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, and voiced concern over the ongoing situation in IIOJK.
