GENEVA: The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), has held a protest on 23rd of June -2022 during the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. A large number of the Party activists and members and representatives of the Pushtoon Tahfuz Movement, Baloch Voice Association, Journalists, academics and political leaders from various other communities and nations have taken part in the demonstration.
Addressing to the protesters Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that there are no human rights in Pakistan and to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and so-called Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Pakistan has systematically deprived people of both regions from enjoying fundamental rights.
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri strongly recommend to the United Nations Human Rights Council and to the international community to establish fact finding mission to investigate violations of human rights being orchestrated by the Pakistan security forces against our people.
“Pakistan has colonised our natural resources, deprived people of basic needs of water by diverting rivers in Muzaffarabad the capital city of the occupied region. Pakistan is plundering minerals, has deforested entire area and created such environment for the people to migrate from their ancestral home and lands”, he said.
Fazal Ur Rahman Afridi, representative of the PTM, and president of the Khyber Institute of strategic Studies, while addressing at the event reminded that Pakistan is a sympathiser of the Tehreek e Taliban and other extremist and terrorist Organisation’s operating in the region with the blessings of the deep state. He expressed resentment at inaction of the international community as well UN in stopping Pakistan from using such policies against innocent civilians in pushtoon areas. He has also strongly condemned killing of four innocent youth in Waziristan who were peacefully striving for the right of education and peaceful life for the entire population.
Nasir Aziz Khan, Spokesperson, UKPNP said, “We are going to submit a memorandum to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We are here protesting against the Pakistani atrocities. Pakistan is plundering our natural resources. It is occupying our land”.
He added, “We are the owners of the rivers, dams but they are producing electricity and exporting to Pakistan and there is a shortage of electricity of 15-20hrs a day. There is unemployment, there is terrorism, there is extremism promoted and projected by Pakistan and we are here to raise our voices against these atrocities”.
Speaking to the protesters Munir Mengal, president of the Baloch Voice Association in his speech shed light in degrading state of human rights in Balochistan. He has loudly asked international community to ask Pakistan to comply with different instruments and treaty body to use their good offices for the promotion and protection of fundamental rights of the people. Extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearances and kidnapping of Baloch students in and outside of the Balochistan must come to and halt.
Prominent human rights activist Gary Cartwright also shed light on bleak state of human rights in Pakistani Administered regions of erstwhile state of Jammu Kashmir. He has extended his support for the peaceful endeavours of the United Kashmir People’s National Party in the quest of freedom and revival of the basic rights.
Miss Rangeeza Noor, Pushtoons Human Rights activist also expressed her concern on pathetic and deplorable conditions of the people under illegal occupation of Pakistan. She has extended her solidarity and support for the people of Pakistani Occupied Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Talking about victims of rape and blackmailing Mirza Abdul Aleem president of Swiss Kashmir Assassination cited that there is no rule of law in Pakistan. No victim can seek justice and the worst example of this phenomenon is Maria Tahoe case who is seeking and fighting for justice for eight years.
Moderating the protest event Jamil Maqsood highlighted few examples of the Human Rights violations in so called Azad Jammu and Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan. The case of illegal lease of mining in Hunza and encroachment of khyber Pakhtoonkhaw province into disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan is alarming, disturbing and condemnable.
Among the protesters were, Raja Sarfarz , Tikka khan Tahir, Ashfaq Mirza, Sajid Hussain, Malik Bazai, Rahmanullah khan, Younas Khan, Mirza Abdul Aleem Shafiq, Asif Abbas, Irfan Ahmed, Miss Rangeeza Noor, Kilhan Mashraqwal, Fazal ur Rahman Afridi , Malik Bazai , Rahman Ullah khan of PTM delegates, Munir Mengal president of Baloch Voice Association representatives of the NGOs, civil society and members of the international community also joined the protest.
After the protest, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, exiled Chairman of the United Kashmir People’s National Party Nasir Aziz khan, Central spokesperson of the United Kashmir People’s National Party, Jamil MAQSOOD, Secretary General of Foreign Affairs Committee of UKPNP, has submitted a memorandum to the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The memorandum has included all the current situation in Jammu Kashmir and particularly the marginalisation of the people of Pakistani Administered Jammu Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan.