Kashmiris observe 'Right to Self-Determination Day'

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, a de facto border dividing the disputed Himalayan region between Pakistan and India, and all around the world are observing the Right to Self-Determination Day on Thursday, taking out rallies and holding seminars to highlight their plight.

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its continued political, diplomatic, and moral support to Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The UN Security Council’s commitment made on Jan. 5, 1949, calls for an UN-supervised plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, but despite the passing of 74 years the promise remains unfulfilled, said Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi in his message issued from his office.

The international community, especially the United Nations, bears the responsibility to ensure the fulfillment of this promise and support the people of Kashmir in exercising their inalienable right to self-determination, said Alvi.

Kashmir is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of the region is also controlled by China.

On Jan. 5, 1949, following a full-scale war between Pakistan and India in 1948, the UN pledged that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute would be decided through a free and fair plebiscite, but the exercise was never carried out.

"Peace & development in South Asia are linked to resolution of Kashmir dispute. On Right to Self-determination Day today, I call upon global community to play its part in giving Kashmiris of IIOJK (Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) their legal right to decide their destiny. India must reverse its actions of Aug 5," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.

Main rallies will also be held in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, to show solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Kashmiris around the world are observing the day by holding various activities, including protest demonstrations, demanding the UN implement its relevant resolutions to settle the Kashmir dispute.

Kashmir Diaspora Coalition (KDC), an alliance of various Kashmiri advocacy groups working around the globe, said in a statement that "non-compliance of India" with the implementation of UN-mandated right to self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir and the UN’s "failure" to implement its decision over seven decades have added to enormous ongoing sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

-Disputed region

Since they were partitioned in 1947, Pakistan and India have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – two of them over Kashmir.

Some Kashmiri groups have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or unification with neighboring Pakistan.

According to several human rights groups, thousands of people have been killed and tortured in the conflict since 1989.