The longstanding Kashmir dispute has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan for decades. Pakistan again calls upon the United Nations to address this issue and find a peaceful resolution. Ambassador Munir Akram, representing Pakistan at the General Assembly, has emphasized the urgency of resolving the Kashmir conflict following UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
I. The Plight of Kashmiris
Breaking News: The Kashmir Valley has been a hotbed of tension for over 75 years. Ambassador Akram highlighted the suffering of the Kashmiri people due to India’s actions since 1989, which have resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 Kashmiris. The region has become the most densely occupied place globally, with 900,000 Indian troops. This military presence has led to numerous human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, and collective punishments.
Extrajudicial Killings and Abductions
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- India’s ” search and cordon ” operations have led to extrajudicial killings.
- Approximately 13,000 young Kashmiri boys have been abducted and forcibly disappeared.
Demographic Changes
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- India has granted over 3.4 million dubious domicile certificates to Hindus from various parts of the country.
- Land and properties of Kashmiris are being confiscated for military and official use.
The Ideology of Hindutva
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- Genocide Watch has warned about the potential for genocide in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and against Muslims in India.
II. UN Resolution and India’s Actions
International news: The United Nations has passed several resolutions, including UNSC Resolution 47, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Both India and Pakistan initially accepted these resolutions. However, India’s unilateral and illegal steps to annex occupied Kashmir on August 5, 2019, violated international law.
Illegality of Unilateral Actions
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- Resolution 122 (1957) of the Security Council explicitly states that unilateral measures to determine the future of a state are illegal.
- All unilateral actions taken by India since August 5, 2019, are null and void.
Kashmir as a Settler-Colonial Project
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- India’s efforts to transform Kashmir from a Muslim-majority region into a Hindu-majority territory mirror a traditional settler-colonial endeavour.
III. The Way Forward
Ambassador Akram emphasized that resolving the Kashmir dispute is crucial for achieving lasting peace in South Asia. The responsibility for creating conditions for a dialogue towards a settlement falls on India.
Immediate Actions by India
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- India must halt human rights abuses in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir region.
- Halt and reverse the process of demographic change in the region.
- Rescind the illegal and unilateral measures imposed since August 5, 2019.
UN’s Role and International Community
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- The United Nations and its all-state members must be committed to promoting a peaceful and humble solution in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The international community should actively engage in facilitating dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Conclusion
The Kashmir dispute remains one of the most prolonged conflicts in modern history, with grave human rights violations and political unrest. Pakistan’s call for a peaceful resolution through the United Nations is a plea for justice and stability in the region. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders, particularly India, to heed this call, end the suffering of Kashmiris, and work towards a just and lasting solution that respects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Only through a peaceful resolution can the region finally find the peace and stability it desperately needs.