Kashmiri diaspora protests outside Pakistani Consulate in UK over killings of PoK protesters
London, Aug 6
Several members of the Kashmiri diaspora staged a protest outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford city of the United Kingdom, condemning brutalities by Pakistani forces against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The protesters, including elderly people, women and children, expressed solidarity with the civil society group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), while calling for an end to the cruel operations carried out by the Pakistani security forces in the region.
They carried placards that read: 'Pakistan Stop Brutalities', 'Pakistan Stop Killing Kashmiris in Rawalakot' and 'We Stand with Awami Action Committee', and raised slogans condemning the Pakistani forces.
The escalating unrest in PoK has claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured over the last few days. The actual death toll is expected to be significantly higher.
The Bradford protest comes amid growing demonstrations by Kashmiri diaspora groups outside Pakistani diplomatic missions across the world. The protesters have been demanding international intervention over what they describe as a brutal crackdown by Pakistani authorities in PoK.
Last week, several British parliamentarians expressed grave concern over brutalities by Pakistani forces against civilians as unrest in PoK continued to intensify.
British Labour Party MP Liam Byrne said that reports of live fire being used against peaceful protesters in PoK are "deeply alarming".
Describing the communications blackout and human rights abuse in the occupied territory as "completely unacceptable", Byrne said that the All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir -- a cross-party group in the UK Parliament -- has made two demands.
"One, urgent talks with the High Commission of Pakistan here in London to say this has got to stop. But second, we're demanding to see our Foreign Office ministers too, to ensure that they are making representations at the highest level to the government of Pakistan. Ultimately, what is needed here is to honour the long-term commitments made in UN resolutions all those years ago. But in the here and now, we need the violence to stop," the British lawmaker stated.
"We need immediate de-escalation. We need calm heads. And crucially, we need the human rights of Kashmiris to be observed now," he added.
Calling the killing of civilians in PoK a "tragedy", another British MP, Adnan Hussain, said that any use of excessive or unlawful force by Pakistani authorities must be subject to a full, independent and transparent investigation.
"I urge all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilian life and engage in peaceful dialogue. Lasting solutions can only be achieved through calm, constructive engagement rather than further violence or escalation. My thoughts are with all those affected, particularly constituents with family and loved ones in the region," Hussain stated.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Human rights violations are never acceptable regardless of where they happen. These British MPs are right to raise the issue and demand transparency. Sad to see innocent civilians losing their lives.
Read between the lines - they're even killing people in their own occupied territory. Pakistan claims to care about Kashmir but treats Pakistanis in PoK worse than animals. Shameful!
More than 50 killed and hundreds injured? That's devastating. The UN resolutions need to be implemented now. No more empty words, we need concrete action to protect Kashmiri lives.
The communications blackout and use of live fire against peaceful protesters is deeply concerning. I hope the international community including the UK government takes strong diplomatic action against this oppression.
Power of democracy - even in Bradford, the voice of Kashmir is being heard. Kudos to the diaspora for organizing this protest. But we must ask: why is the world silent when innocent people are being shot?
I wish both countries would stop using Kashmir as a political chess piece. The victims are ordinary people - they're not puppets of either India or Pakistan. Let them decide their own future through peaceful means.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.