Strongly condemning the killing of innocent Kashmiris in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on Thursday said Pakistan was effectively raising the issue of ongoing brutalities in IOK as well as the Kashmir dispute at the international level. “Senior Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, who is on a visit to US and Pakistan’s ambassadors in various countries have effectively raised the issue of ongoing brutalities in IOK and Kashmir dispute,” Nafees Zakaria told a weekly press briefing here at the Foreign Office.
He said since last week, genocide and crimes against humanity committed by Indian occupation forces in IOK have claimed more precious lives of Kashmiris. “We strongly condemn martyrdom of innocent Kashmiris,” he added.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Kashmiris’ right to freedom of expression, religious practice and freedom of movement remained curbed under Indian oppressive measures, which was highly deplorable.
“Questions have been constantly raised by many among you [the journalists attending the briefing] on the silence of the international community over India’s worst human rights violations in IOK,” he said. He added that civil society members in various regions, joined by the members of parliament and members of Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora have held numerous events to sensitise the international community on the blatant violations of human rights in IOK, availing the occasion of Human Rights Day and other important days.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Rochdale Borough Council while expressing their concern over grave human rights violations has urged the UN and international HR bodies to protect, monitor and human rights in IOK. The Council noted that the genocide committed by Indian forces in IOK was designed to curb pro-freedom voices and Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, enshrined in several UNSC resolutions on Kashmir, he added.
“The Council observed that the voice of Kashmiris is challenging India and world’s conscience. The Council condemned Indian government’s statements on unilateral abrogation of the Indus Water Treaty,” Nafees Zakaria mentioned.
He said Lord Qurban Hussain of Luton on 12 December in the House of Lords raised the question: ‘What steps Her Majesty’s government is taking to support the UN investigations into human rights abuses in Indian Occupied Kashmir?’ Baroness Goldie responded that UK was concerned and supported prompt, transparent and thorough investigation, along with supporting enabling of UN bodies to fulfil their mandates.
“She confirmed that British PM Theresa May took up the issue of Kashmir with PM Modi during her recent visit. On Human Rights Day, a large number of British parliamentarians raised their deep concerns over Indian atrocities in IOK,” the spokesperson said.