OHCHR’s recommendations to form an independent inquiry commission on Kashmir should be implemented: Pak HC
Posted On October 30, 2018
A seminar arranged by the Kashmir Study Forum, Sri Lanka on “Resolution of Kashmir Dispute under United Nation’s Auspices” was held at Galadari Hotel on October 29, 2018.
High Commissioner of Pakistan, Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hasmat was the keynote speaker at the seminar.
While speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner briefed the audience about the history of Kashmir issue and said that Kashmir remains the oldest unresolved conflict in the world. He said the persistence of the issue causes grave human rights violations including killings, arbitrary arrests, and other crimes against humanity being committed by the occupation forces.
The High Commissioner highlighted that the Security Council resolutions provide for holding of a fair and impartial plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir under UN auspices to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right of self-determination and join either Pakistan or India. The UN also deployed the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOGIP) to monitor the cease-fire line between the Azad Kashmir area and the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). These resolutions were accepted by both India and Pakistan, however, all these efforts were thwarted by the Indian side to organize a plebiscite in Kashmir, he underscored.
Dr. Shahid Hashmat underlined that the recent report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has also pointed out atrocities in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). It demanded for immediate and effective steps to avoid a repetition of the numerous examples of excessive use of force by security forces in Kashmir. OHCHR has recommended that a commission of inquiry should be established to conduct a comprehensive independent international investigation into allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir, he added.
The High Commissioner urged that South Asian region needs peace for allowing economic progress and socio-economic development to improve the quality of life of citizens of all countries. Peace can only be achieved through peaceful resolution of all disputes.
