"If all creation perishes, will you then deliver justice?

Subject: Urgent Request for Action on Kashmir’s Right to Self-Determination and Human Rights Concerns

Honorable, António Guterres UNSG,UN Members & International Community,

I am writing to you with an urgent plea to address the longstanding and unresolved matter of Kashmir's right to self-determination, supported by multiple United Nations resolutions and documented instances of human rights violations. Despite the passage of over seven decades, the people of Kashmir remain deprived of a fundamental right that the UN itself acknowledged through resolutions aimed at granting them self-determination.

Secretary-General António Guterres, you know, your team knows, the United Nations and the entire international community, including other organizations, all are aware that in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian forces have martyred over 500,000 Kashmiris since occupying the region in 1947, with more than 250,000 of these killings taking place in Jammu alone. According to a report issued by the Kashmir Media Service today, October 27, on Black Day, more than 3.5 million Kashmiris have been forced to migrate from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, and other parts of the world since October 27, 1947.

The report states that between January 1989 and October 27, 2023, Indian forces martyred 96,262 Kashmiris, of whom 7,316 were killed in custody or during staged encounters. During this period, Indian forces arrested 168,567 Kashmiris and destroyed 110,504 homes and other buildings. As a result of Indian state terrorism, 22,963 women were widowed, and 107,914 children were orphaned. Since January 1989, Indian forces have also subjected 11,259 women to sexual violence.

I have decided to bring the voice of the helpless Kashmiris to you? because on October 27, Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir and across the world expressed their anger and frustration against India's illegal occupation of Kashmir. The level of anger, outrage, and call for retribution against India’s oppressive aggression is more intense now than ever before. This may be because, since mid-2017, Kashmiris slowed down their movement, trusting the international community’s promises for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue. However, when these promises were broken and the global community’s apathy became clear, on August 5, 2019, the Indian parliament abrogated Article 370, which granted Kashmir its special status, its own constitution, and its own flag. With the repeal of Article 370, Kashmir’s special status was removed, and its constitution and flag were seized. But this wasn’t all—the BJP government further revoked Article 35A by presidential order. Following this, resettlement from other Indian states into Kashmir began, which, over the last five years, has resulted in millions losing their livelihoods in Jammu and Kashmir. When oppression upon oppression failed to subdue Kashmiris, India crossed every limit of lawlessness, passing a reorganization act on August 6, 2019.

According to my information, Kashmiri youth have reorganized themselves, and this time they are determined not to fall for the promises of the international community, Pakistan, or India. Verified reports indicate that Kashmiri freedom fighters have decided not to allow non-Kashmiris to participate in their freedom struggle. In early August, Kashmiri leaders reached a consensus that their freedom movement would not be compromised by any expediency, moral support, or propaganda.

In these circumstances, while the world is already plagued with conflicts, crises, and disasters, it is imperative that the international community urgently takes a practical role in resolving the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations resolutions to avert a disaster in South Asia. The UN should restore the confidence of the Muslim world, Kashmiris, Pakistanis, and other nations. If this is not achieved, then no amount of effort will suffice to change the outcome.

I say this because the United Nations is one institution that can save the lives of 2.5 billion people by resolving the Kashmir issue. If the UN cannot enforce its own resolutions, the fear is that calls might emerge from somewhere in the world questioning the UN’s capability to resolve international disputes, suggesting that, much like the League of Nations, the time may have come for a new global institution.

As one poet aptly put it: “If you won’t stand for me, then at least stand for yourself.”

“The United Nations, the United States, and other global powers should fully support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Paperwork alone will no longer suffice. If the United States does not support the principled stance of the Kashmiris, it is very likely that American and NATO efforts on the Ukraine front could suffer a setback. It’s also possible that support for the U.S. might diminish, allowing Russia to succeed on the Ukrainian front, and a single defeat could bring lasting challenges to the U.S., NATO, and other allies.

It would be better for the U.S. to refrain from linking the Kashmiri freedom movement with terrorism; otherwise, the same accusations could be directed at those who support Ukraine’s movement for freedom from Russia.”

"I have been continuously monitoring South Asia's security, defense, and economic matters and issues. Previously, I had not seen the level of strategy, intensity, and determination in the Kashmiri freedom movement that I now observe. If the United Nations fails to recognize this sensitivity, a new wave of terrorism could emerge in the region. Therefore, to ensure complete oversight over the Middle East, Ukraine, and China, it is essential that the Kashmir issue should be resolved as soon as possible in accordance with United Nations resolutions."        

It is time for the United Nations to stand on its own feet and enforce its resolutions. The UN, alongside other global powers and institutions, must advance in implementing the commitments, actions, and decisions listed below.

1. UN Resolutions on Kashmir: A Historical Commitment

- Since 1948, the UN Security Council has passed key resolutions on Kashmir, including Resolution 47, which called for a plebiscite to determine the region's future, and subsequent resolutions such as Resolution 98 (1952), which reaffirmed this right. The UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) outlined demilitarization steps to facilitate a fair and impartial referendum, yet, unfortunately, none of these resolutions have been implemented by the concerned party, India.

2. Human Rights Violations: An Ongoing Crisis

- Kashmir’s human rights landscape has deteriorated, as documented by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2018 and 2019. Reports detail instances of excessive force, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on communication, and the application of draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA), which create a climate conducive to abuses.

3. Post-2019 Developments: Escalation of Suppression

- The August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and 35A further escalated the situation, revoking the region’s special autonomy and triggering concerns across international forums. The reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, coupled with new domicile laws and communications lockdowns, have intensified local grievances and highlighted a disregard for both UN mandates and the fundamental rights of Kashmiris.

4. The UN’s Legal and Moral Obligation

- According to the UN Charter, respect for self-determination and the promotion of human rights are foundational principles. Articles 1(2) and 55 of the Charter, along with International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), emphasize the protection of self-determination and human dignity. It is imperative that the UN upholds its commitment to these values in Kashmir.

5. Request for Immediate UN Action

I respectfully urge the UN to pressurize India to honor its obligations under the Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir, uphold its international commitments, and cooperate in facilitating an impartial plebiscite as per the people’s right to self-determination.

I also call upon the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that international observers are granted access to Kashmir, so unbiased investigations into alleged abuses may proceed.

- The establishment of a rights-based, observer-led mechanism would offer both transparency and accountability, fostering an environment that protects civilians and upholds their rights.

In conclusion, i urge the United Nations to act swiftly in defense of the Kashmiri people’s rights to self-determination and protection from further harm. The voices of millions who call for justice and peace deserve the world’s attention and support.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I trust the United Nations will act in alignment with its principles, taking meaningful steps to ensure peace and justice in Kashmir.

Sincerely,

Muhammad Amin Tahir

CEO Rescue Global LIfe

29-10-2024