Prominent Kashmiri Leader Calls on G20 to Address Long-standing Dispute and Promote Peaceful Solution
In a statement issued at the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary-General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, urged the international community to end its neglect of the decades-old Kashmir dispute. He emphasized the need for a dialogue between all parties involved, including India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri people’s leadership, in order to pave the way for a democratic and peaceful solution.
Dr Fai highlighted that Kashmir is a political issue that requires a political solution. He outlined several immediate requirements for such a dialogue, including the intervention of the international community to swiftly end the violence in Kashmir, the demilitarization of the state on both sides of the cease-fire line, and the release of political prisoners.
The Kashmiri leader called on the G20 countries to recognize the tremendous opportunity for peace in the region, emphasizing that it can only be achieved if the people of Kashmir are allowed to have their own identity. He further urged India to conduct a referendum in Kashmir, as called for by UN resolutions, to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles.
Dr Fai supported his appeal by citing various world leaders, international officials, and academics who have warned about the dangers posed to international peace and stability by the unresolved Kashmir dispute. He emphasized that the denial of democracy and human rights in Kashmir, particularly the right to self-determination, has led to nuclear and missile proliferation in the region.
Amnesty International and four other international NGOs recently wrote to G20 countries on August 24th, urging India to address human rights violations in Kashmir and release jailed rights defenders and political prisoners. While the United States’ National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, Admiral John Kirby, noted that President Joe Biden’s stance on the Kashmir issue remains unchanged, he reiterated that human rights concerns are a cornerstone of President Biden’s foreign policy.
In conclusion, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai’s appeal to the G20 countries emphasizes the urgent need to address the long-standing Kashmir dispute and work towards a peaceful solution. It highlights the importance of international intervention, demilitarization, and the release of political prisoners. The Kashmiri leader’s call for a referendum in Kashmir underlines the significance of democratic principles and the opportunity for peace in the region. The support from various global actors adds weight to the appeal, stressing the risks posed by the unresolved dispute to international peace and stability.
