ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Kashmiri intellectuals have decided to constitute an independent international secretariat in London, United Kingdom for exploring fresh initiatives at the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly and International Court of Justice to ensure the implementation of UN Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir issue, says a press release.
The decision to this extent was taken at Intellectual Moot held in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir hosted by London based veteran Kashmiri leader, Abdul Jabaar Butt and chaired by Justice (Retd) Abdul Majeed Mallick, Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Intellectual Forum. Dr Nazir Gilani, Secretary General of London based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) which is in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gilani said that JKCHR would fully support the decision taken at the moot and leave no stone unturned in assisting the international secretariat in London in achieving its desired goals.
He argued that since the Jammu & Kashmir issue was already on the agenda of the Security Council of the UN and as acknowledgement of right to freedom and self-determination, vested in the people of J&K was already resolved by virtue of UN Security Council resolutions of April 21, 1948, March 30, 1951, January 24, 1957 etc. and UNCIP resolutions of August 13, 1948 and January 05, 1959, it was already resolved that the State of Jammu & Kashmir, has a political and legal entity and that its future was yet to be determined by the people of the State by free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the UN Security Council.
Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani pointed out that the government in Indian occupied Kashmir has continuously failed in its duty to provide a neutral, inclusive and representative government to carry out the work of referendum under the supervision of the United Nations. He highlighted that Indian Government has no role in the occupied territory except providing a supplement for law and order. However, it is arguable that in 2016 Kashmiris may not need Indian soldier for any law and order purpose. More so, Indian soldier is engaged in a regular war with the people of Kashmir. Indian soldier remains responsible for war crimes in the Kashmir Valley and has continued to violate all restraints placed on him by the UN.
Dr. Nazir Gilani said that JKCHR would fully support the resolution adopted in the meeting to authorize Abdul Jabaar Butt, an elderly UK-based Kashmiri leader of freedom struggle, to seek expert opinion of specialist in London and Europe to invoke the jurisdiction of UN and International Court of Justice in respect of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
JKCHR secretary general said that fresh and non-party expert inputs are welcome and need to be encouraged.