KYIV, Ukraine: The Embassy of Pakistan in Kyiv observed 5th February as Kashmir Solidarity Day to reiterate the unwavering support of the people and government of Pakistan with our Kashmiri brethren and highlight the atrocities being committed by India against the innocent Kashmiris in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K).
The event started with recitation of the Holy Quran. Afterwards, the messages of President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan were read out on this occasion.
While addressing the audience, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Ukraine Zahid Mubashir Sheikh highlighted the grave human rights violations and the reign of tyranny, especially in the aftermath of revoking of article 370 and 35A, being imposed on the innocent Kashmiris by the Indian Occupation Forces. He added that India, since August 05, 2019 has imposed curfew, restricted all types of communications and there is a complete lockdown of the IOJ&K.
The ambassador further informed that these measures are causing immense suffering to the Kashmiri people especially women, children, the elderly and sick. The Indian government’s actions have resulted in the shortage food and medicine in the IOJ&K. The people are unable to go to work and children unable to attend their school. Nearly 13,000 Kashmiris have been detained. People’s rights to peaceful assembly, free movement, and observance of religious obligations are being trampled upon. The Indian rule of tyranny is unfolding an unimaginable level of human catastrophe in the IOJ&K.
Ambassador Zahid Mubashir Sheikh expressed that due to Pakistan’s active diplomacy and support of international community, the issue of IOJ&K has been raised twice, on August 16, 2019 and January 15, 2020, in the UN Security Council which has once again supported Pakistan’s claim that IOJ&K is an internationally recognized disputed territory, on the agenda of the UN, to be resolved as per the wishes of Kashmiris and UNSC resolutions. The world has taken notice of the Indian atrocities and human rights violations in the IOJ&K. The UN Secretary General, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International, the Parliament of European Union and OIC have expressed deep concern over the human rights violations in Kashmir and have called on India to lift curfew, remove communication blackout, respect and protect human rights of the Kashmiri people.
The ambassador added that the European Parliament is also planning to have a vote on the issues of India’s Citizenship Amendment Bill and its lockdown in Kashmir. The draft resolutions had been brought by six groups representing 626 of 751 members of the European parliament. Including others, the resolutions have criticized crackdown by Indian government in Kashmir, internet shutdown and preventive detention measures.
It was further said that the government of Pakistan condemns the illegal, unilateral, reckless and coercive attempt by India to alter the disputed status of IOJ&K as enshrined in the UNSC Resolutions. Pakistan will continue to provide moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the fate of IOJ&K is decided according to the UNSC resolutions and wishes of its people.
The ambassador also stressed upon all Pakistani community members to play their due part in highlighting, condemning and raising voice against the grave human right violations being perpetrated by the Indian Occupation Forces in IOJ&K. He added that we should not turn a blind eye to atrocities of the Indian occupation forces and speak against their tyrannical actions to help our Kashmiri brethren in getting their due right of self-determination.
Some Muslim Ukrainian scholars including Mufti Saeed and Seran Arifov, Head of Islamic Cultural Centre, Kyiv also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the human rights abuses in the IOJ&K. They emphasized the need to create awareness among the Ukrainians about the Kashmir issue to garner further support for the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for independence.
A number of documentaries highlighting the serious human rights violations in the IOJ&K were played. Banners, posters and panaflexes showing the atrocities against Kashmiris were displayed also.
The event was attended by diplomats including Ambassadors of Turkey, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Iran, Ukrainian Muslim scholars, journalists and prominent Pakistani community members.
