ISLAMABAD: International speakers in a conference said that international powers should have to play their role in resolving Kashmir dispute as Indian forces had killed more than 100,000 Kashmiris but couldn’t suppress their aspirations.  Two-day ‘International Kashmir Congress’ is being organised by Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) in collaboration with Centre for Economic and Social Research (ESAM) under title ‘Narrative of Occupation and Scope of International Law: A Preview of Occupied Kashmir’, was held in a hotel in Ankara, said a press release received here. Experts from UK, USA, Pakistan and Palestine and many local and foreign participants attended sessions on first day of two-day congress.

Prof Richard Falk, Princeton University Professor of International Law Emeritus on ‘Occupied Territories and Scope of International Law’ said there has been long period of victimisation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “Occupation is both unlawful and unjustified. It is one of longest-lasting occupations in history,” he said. Referring to British occupation of Indian subcontinent, Falk said, “Very chaotic and conflictual period emerged and led to partition of Pakistan and India. When we look at rest of world, Cyprus, Palestine, Ireland, some parts of Africa, we see that their lands are divided and conflicts are taking place. These occurred after Britain withdrew its colonial administrations there. While doing this, they did not make this withdrawal by ensuring safety of people living there. Kashmir is one of those places.” Falk emphasised United Nations also supports “right to self-government” of Kashmiri people. Falk underlined that tragedy in Kashmir stems from being in midst of geopolitical conflict tensions, noting that these tensions make it difficult for Kashmir to be liberated.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 12 2022

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