Prime Minister Imran Khan, on global Human Rights Day, appealed to the conscience of the international community to act against the “illegal annexation” of occupied Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) by the Narendra Modi-led Indian government.
Human Rights Day is observed across the world on December 10, in honor of all the grave human rights violations and acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which encourages individual, religious and political freedom.
71 years ago today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was born. Drafted by people from different legal, religious & cultural backgrounds from all over the world, it is a guiding light of the #humanrights movement.
On #HumanRightsDay, let's recall what it says… (thread) pic.twitter.com/2tBD2Xdc1c
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) December 10, 2019
India’s Illegal Annexation of J&K
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, “On Human Rights day we must appeal to the world’s conscience, to upholders of international law & to the UNSC to act against the illegal annexation of IOJK by the Indian Occupation govt.”
“We condemn the Occupying Indian govt’s siege of IOJK ongoing for over 4 months now & demand an end to the gross abuse & atrocities being inflicted on Kashmiri men, women & children by Indian Occupation forces in violation of all International Humanitarian & Human Rights Laws.”
On Human Rights day we must appeal to the world's conscience, to upholders of international law & to the UNSC to act against the illegal annexation of IOJK by the Indian Occupation govt. We condemn the Occupying Indian govt's siege of IOJK ongoing for over 4 months now & demand
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 10, 2019
The Premier added, “We salute & stand resolutely with the brave Kashmiris struggling for their right of self-determination.”
an end to the gross abuse & atrocities being inflicted on Kashmiri men, women & children by Indian Occupation forces in violation of all Int Humanitarian & Human Rights Laws. We salute & stand resolutely with the brave Kashmiris struggling for their right of self determination
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 10, 2019
On the occasion, President Arif Alvi extended his full support to independence and the independence cause of the people of occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
صدرمملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا انسانی حقوق کے عالمی دن کے موقع پر پیغام،
اس دن کا منانا انسانی حقوق کے فروغ کے لئے ہمارے پختہ عزم کی نشاندہی کرتا ہے،صدر مملکت
پاکستان کشمیریوں کے حق خودارادیت اور آزادی کی مکمل حمایت کرتا ہے، صدر مملکت، @ArifAlvi #HumanRightsDay2019
/1
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 10, 2019
He expressed concern over the unprecedented military lockdown, curfew and grave human rights violations occurring in the occupied Himalayan valley, and appealed to all global bodies, non-governmental organizations, media houses, and civil society members to play their role in safeguarding the rights of the Kashmiri people.
صدر مملکت کا مقبوضہ جموں و کشمیر میں ملٹری لاک ڈاون، کرفیو اور انسانی حقوق کی پامالی پر شدید اظہار تشویش،
تمام عالمی سرکاری ، غیر سرکاری تنظیمیں ، میڈیا اور سول سوسائٹی مقبوضہ کشمیر کے عوام کے حقوق انسانی کے تحفظ اور ان کے حق خودارادیت کے لیے اپنا کردار ادا کریں، صدر مملکت
/2— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 10, 2019
Tweeting in honor of the global Human Rights Day, Dr. Shireen Mazari, the Federal Minister for Human Rights, said, “Human Rights for every Pakistani as laid out in our Constitution, as envisaged by our Founder Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah & in fulfillment of our international commitments. Foremost before us is the example set by our Prophet PBUH in respecting human rights & human dignity.”
Human Rights for every Pakistani as laid out in our Constitution, as envisaged by our Founder Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah & in fulfillment of our international commitments. Foremost before us is the example set by our Prophet PBUH in respecting human rights & human dignity.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 10, 2019
Cost of Appeasing Fascism
Reminding the world of the plight of the Kashmiri people, Dr. Mazari said, “While the world marks Human Rights Day today, it cannot ignore the massive human rights violations being committed by the Indian Occupying government in IOJK where it’s occupation forces use rape as a weapon of war; use inhumane weapons like pellet guns against women & children; & continue a siege of IOJK for over 4 months so far depriving Kashmiris of basic human rights.”
The Modi Govt’s fascist policies & its illegal annexation of IOJK constitutes war crimes under International Law.”
Read more: Kashmir, the bone of contention: Is there any solution to Indo-Pak border disputes?
Dr. Mazari warned the international community of the costs of appeasing the fascist government led by Narendra Modi, saying, “The international community should recall the enormous cost of appeasement of fascism earlier in the garb of Nazism. Today the same fascism wears the Hindutva cloak & appeasing it will have even graver consequences.”
The Federal Minister for Human Rights concluded, “Generation after generation of Kashmiris have fought for their right to self-determination – the international community must fulfill the UNSC commitment made.”
earlier in the garb of Nazism. Today the same fascism wears the Hindutva cloak & appeasing it will have even graver consequences. Generation after generation of Kashmiris have fought for their right to self determination – the int community must fulfill the UNSC commitment made.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 10, 2019
The Narendra Modi-led Indian government, on August 5, illegally annexed the territory of occupied Jammu & Kashmir, stripping away its partial autonomy, and imposed a brutal security lockdown that barred the local people from moving about, convening in groups and even accessing basic healthcare facilities.
After the rushed presidential order that abrogated Article 370, the occupied Himalayan valley witnessed an unprecedented communications blackout and security clampdown, depriving Kashmiris of their basic human rights for over four months.
Since the abrogation of Article 370, Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government have taken up the cause of the Kashmiri right to self-determination in the international community. The Premier has proclaimed himself as the ambassador of the Kashmiri people, and he has raised this issue at the domestic, regional and international forums.
Read more: Similarities between India’s Kashmir and Israel’s Palestine
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s monumental speech at the United Nations General Assembly also aided in highlighting the Kashmiri struggle for freedom and garnering the support of the cause from across the world.