On Aug 25, 2019, a collaboration of many Kashmiri, Pakistani, Indian and Peace groups joined hands at a rally to speak up about the human rights violations in Kashmir.
There were over 500 attendees that met at Holland Park and then marched down King George, up 102 Ave and back to Holland Park via University Drive. Slogans in support of freedom for the Kashmir were loudly chanted throughout the walk. A police escort assisted in controlling the traffic.
The main points to raise awareness about are:
1. Under the false pretext of national security, the Indian government deployed 40,000 armed soldiers to join the 700,000 military personnel permanently stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, which is internationally recognized as a disputed region.
2. Prominent Kashmiri political leaders, civil rights activists, and civilians are among more than 4000 arbitrarily arrested since August 5th, 2019. Kashmir is under an indefinite curfew that restricts freedom of movement, access to basic necessities, and livelihood. In addition, internet access and phone services have been severely restricted, creating a communications blackout.
On Aug 25, 2019, a collaboration of many Kashmiri, Pakistani, Indian and Peace groups joined hands at a rally to speak up about the human rights violations in Kashmir.
There were over 500 attendees that met at Holland Park and then marched down King George, up 102 Ave and back to Holland Park via University Drive. Slogans in support of freedom for the Kashmir were loudly chanted throughout the walk. A police escort assisted in controlling the traffic.
The main points to raise awareness about are:
1. Under the false pretext of national security, the Indian government deployed 40,000 armed soldiers to join the 700,000 military personnel permanently stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, which is internationally recognized as a disputed region.
2. Prominent Kashmiri political leaders, civil rights activists, and civilians are among more than 4000 arbitrarily arrested since August 5th, 2019. Kashmir is under an indefinite curfew that restricts freedom of movement, access to basic necessities, and livelihood. In addition, internet access and phone services have been severely restricted, creating a communications blackout.
3. On August 5, the Indian government unilaterally scrapped two related special provisions in the Indian constitution, Article 370 and Article 35A. Article 370 granted Kashmir autonomy over most of its administrative affairs. Article 35A ensured that only “permanent residents” of the state of Jammu and Kashmir had the right to buy and own property there. This action by the government of India has stripped the Indigenous people of Kashmir of their rights, jeopardized Kashmir’s right to self-determination and escalated the likelihood of violence inflicted by the Indian military’s mobilization. It has also endangered Kashmir’s demography and its fragile ecology.
4. The Indian military is seen as an occupying force by Kashmiris and its soldiers are protected by laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that allow them to perpetrate human rights abuses without consequence. These human rights violations have been well documented by local Kashmiri organizations and international human rights watchdogs like the UN Human Rights Office.
5. Our request of the Canadian government is:
a. Insist the Indian Government De-escalate the situation by immediately withdrawing all Indian military personnel from Kashmir;
b.Take leadership on the world stage by supporting a referendum under international and UN supervision that guarantees a free and impartial vote as enshrined in successive UN Resolutions ensuring the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination and;
c.Insist on the restoration of the rights of the Kashmiri people by ending the communications blackout, military-enforced curfew, blockades, and human rights violations.
d.Work with the governments of Pakistan and India to mediate a peaceful and amicable resolution to the issue of Kashmir sovereignty.
There is much more that needs to be done. If you are interested in being part of this effort you can contact
Furquan Gehlen at furquan@worldbeyondwar.org
or call/text at 604-603-8741.
