Human Rights in Kashmir

She confirmed concerns about internet blackouts impacting communications with family members in Kashmir and highlighted reports of a two-year-old child being shot. She stressed that food shortages and lack of medicines are major issues and urged immediate cessation of blockades to ensure children's survival. She intervened to express concern about constituents being labelled as terrorists for speaking out against the situation, calling for an end to such abuse of law.

Kashmir remains a sensitive dispute with profound implications for regional stability and diaspora communities in the UK. The Conservative party believes that India and Pakistan should find a lasting political resolution through peaceful dialogue, while the UK raises credible human rights abuses without geopolitical bias.

The issue in Indian-occupied Kashmir is one of oppression for decades with frequent torture, rape, and extra-judicial killings. The British Government should adopt a multilateral or international position rather than considering it a bilateral matter between nuclear powers India and Pakistan. There are about 1.4 million British Kashmiris in the UK who have family and heritage ties to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, causing great anxiety due to communication blackouts. Khan suggested that where UN resolutions on human rights violations are not followed, trade sanctions could be considered through UK-India trade agreements.

In response to Richard Burgon's intervention, he mentioned that residents of Stoke-on-Trent North have been contacting him regarding shortages of food, medical supplies, and baby milk in Kashmir. He called for the UK Government to open all possible humanitarian routes.

The MP intervened to express support for the concerns raised by Imran Hussain regarding the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Snell questioned why the UK Government takes a position on other disputed territories but not on Kashmir, specifically asking about UN resolution 47.

He thanked the Members for Bradford East and Leeds East for their work on Kashmir. He discussed the unresolved colonial responsibility regarding Kashmir's partition and current issues such as shortages of essential goods, high food prices, and suppression of civil and political activity in Azad Kashmir.

Jim Shannon expressed his concern about the human rights situation in Kashmir, noting Amnesty International's documentation of arbitrary detention, torture, and restrictions on freedom of assembly. He emphasized the moral obligation for the UK to speak up against such violations and highlighted the impact on religious minorities and communities seeking safety and freedom.

Whittome expressed concern about communications blockades in Kashmir that prevent constituents from contacting their loved ones and asked for assurances that the Government will put pressure on Pakistan to stop such blockades.

He recounted witnessing a relative in Kashmir being shot by Pakistani authorities while visiting, who was too scared to seek medical help due to fear of reprisals. He argued that shooting unarmed civilians and peaceful protesters should not be tolerated.

She highlighted the strong ties between Luton and Kashmir, mentioning a fundraising effort that raised over £300,000 to build a new paediatric operating theatre in Kotli. She expressed concern about recent unrest, including arrests of activists and journalists, mobile and internet blackouts, and travel restrictions.

He expressed concern about the prolonged internet blackout in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, noting that his constituents have relatives there. He urged for peaceful resolution and suggested that the UK Government should play a role in initiating peace talks with Pakistan.

The BJP Government in India is oppressing the Kashmiri people through arbitrary arrests, torture, and house demolitions. Social media accounts of journalists are suspended, and media blackouts imposed to hide crimes. There are 36 points agreed upon with Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir; two remain unresolved, including issues related to Kashmiri migrants. The direct shooting of civilians, internet blackouts, and harassment of families due to raised concerns must stop.

My constituents are concerned about the safety of their loved ones in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The persistent tensions, communications blackouts, and obstructions demand peace negotiations for ending violence and ensuring stability.

Will Forster condemned the excessive use of force in Kashmir and called for a return to civil liberties. He highlighted that more than half of his local Asian population have ancestry from or links with Kashmir, making it a fundamental issue for his constituents. Forster expressed concern over the communications blackout and estimated that 200 people may have been killed in recent protests. He urged the Government to champion democratic mechanisms such as a free referendum and reject unilateral changes to Kashmir's status. The Government have had the policy for 50 years, but it has not worked. Does she think it is time to change course?