SRINAGAR: Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) Chairman Ali Raza Syed has lauded the European Union (EU)’s stance about making the human rights’ situation in Kashmir a part of the upcoming EU free trade dialogue with India.
A press release issued on Sunday said that ahead of the high-level of European Union’s delegation visit to India this year, human rights will be an integral part of the discussion.
Human rights have been the bone of contention between EU and India. The two sides could not reach a final conclusion on Free Trade Agreement (FTA), despite a decade of negotiations.
EU has insisted that any trade deal between EU and India would be done if the latter respects human rights. Protection of human rights is enshrined in the European constitution and it is a cornerstone of European democratic values.
The KC-EU chairman said, “New Delhi is involved in massive human rights violation in Indian-Held Kashmir (IoK) and EU should pressurise India to stop the crimes against humanity in the disputed territory. People of Jammu and Kashmir struggle for their right of self-determination that is recognised by the United Nations and is promised by New Delhi itself.”
Ali Raza also appreciated the efforts of Members of European parliament (MEPs) including Sajjad Karim, Afzal Khan, Amjad Bashir and Barbra Lochbihler for their efforts to raise the issue of human rights in IHK.
Chairman Kashmir Council EU said, EU has important role in the world politics and it is a moral duty of the Union to ask India to stop the human rights violations in IHK and provide right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that Kashmiris needed urgent assistance from the European Union in the context of their human rights and as well as their political right about the fate of their homeland.
He further asked EU to review the situation in IHK and stop black laws, extra-judicial killings, illegal use of pellet guns, detention without trial, forced disappearances and rapes of women.
