Kashmir Black Day: Calls for Self-Determination Resound at United Nations Event

The annual observance of Kashmir Black Day on October 27 highlights the decades-long struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. This year, the Pakistani Mission to the United Nations hosted a profound event at Pakistan House under the theme, “Right to Self-Determination of Peoples Under Foreign Occupation.” The gathering drew students from prestigious New York universities, media representatives, and officials, marking a renewed global call for justice and freedom for oppressed communities, including those in Kashmir and Palestine.

Ambassador Munir Akram’s Call for Justice

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, delivered a compelling speech on the significance of self-determination for occupied regions. Ambassador Akram outlined the historical struggle of Kashmiris, emphasizing their resilience and dedication despite facing brutal suppression. He shared insights on how the UN Charter enshrines the right to self-determination, a principle that guided decolonization after World War II, yet remains unfulfilled for Kashmiris and Palestinians.

Ambassador Akram also recalled India’s initial appeal to the UN regarding the Kashmir dispute, which led to binding Security Council resolutions. However, despite these resolutions, India has maintained control over Jammu and Kashmir, employing tactics of both coercion and military force. The Ambassador stressed that India’s occupation not only violates the spirit of self-determination but also contravenes numerous international laws.

Impact of India’s Actions Post-August 5, 2019

The event spotlighted the ramifications of India’s 2019 actions, which saw the revocation of Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomous status. This unprecedented move brought about widespread lockdowns, extensive curfews, and systemic human rights abuses. In the aftermath, Kashmir has faced extensive restrictions on freedom of speech, media blackouts, and arrests of political leaders, creating a situation that has isolated Kashmiris from the world.

Ambassador Akram highlighted numerous reports from international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have documented severe human rights violations. These accounts reveal extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and acts of collective punishment imposed on the Kashmiri population. Such actions, he said, demonstrate the extent of oppression endured by Kashmiris as they strive for self-determination and peace.

Academic and Media Perspectives on Self-Determination

Professor Abdelhamid Siyam, an academic and journalist, also contributed valuable insights on the importance of self-determination. Prof. Siyam drew parallels between Kashmir and Palestine, noting that both struggles highlight the inequities of international law application. He emphasized that the international community must uphold human rights universally, rather than selectively.

Prof. Siyam also underscored the global responsibility to support and amplify the voices of communities striving for freedom. He urged the UN and its member states to advocate for equal application of human rights principles and ensure accountability for violations in occupied regions.

A Call for International Accountability

As the event concluded, Ambassador Akram called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir and Palestine. He stressed the importance of holding states accountable for human rights violations and supporting efforts for justice, equity, and freedom. He urged the UN to implement its resolutions and work towards a resolution for Kashmir that respects the wishes of its people, as envisioned in the UN Charter.

This year’s observance of Kashmir Black Day reinforced the resilience and hope of the Kashmiri people and underscored the need for international cooperation to bring about a just and lasting peace.