In a compelling address to Britain’s House of Commons, Mr. Sajid Hussain, Secretary of Information for the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), illuminated the grave realities of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
His speech, titled “Reunification of the Historical State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Right to Self-Determination,” underlined the enduring human tragedy inflicted upon the region by decades of unresolved geopolitical disputes and oppressive governance.
A Historical Context
The historical state of Jammu & Kashmir, a princely state renowned for its diversity, was thrust into turmoil during the 1947 Partition of British India. Its people were promised the right to determine their future, a pledge enshrined in international law and affirmed by United Nations resolutions in 1948. These resolutions called for a free and impartial plebiscite to allow the people of Jammu & Kashmir to decide their political destiny. However, seven decades later, this promise remains unfulfilled.
Instead, the region has been subjected to militarization, human rights abuses, and systemic denial of basic freedoms. The territorial dispute has become a flashpoint for conflict between India and Pakistan, with a significant portion also administered by China, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
The Case for Reunification
For Mr. Hussain and the UKPNP, the reunification of Jammu & Kashmir is not merely a romantic notion but a pathway to restoring the dignity and rights of its people. Beyond territorial integrity, reunification is about healing the wounds inflicted by the artificial division of families, communities, and cultures. It is about creating an environment where the voices of the region’s people can be heard and respected, free from external imposition.
The right to self-determination is enshrined in international law, notably in Article 1 of the United Nations Charter and other human rights treaties. This principle, which underpinned the decolonization movements of the 20th century, remains pertinent in addressing the plight of Jammu & Kashmir today. Denying this right has perpetuated violence, displacement, and despair, leaving millions without a voice in shaping their future.
Human Rights Violations and Oppressive Policies
Mr. Hussain’s speech highlighted the egregious human rights abuses that have become endemic in the region. In Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the enactment of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance 2024 has sparked widespread protests. This draconian law severely restricts public gatherings, imposing severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to seven years, for unauthorized assemblies.
The ordinance grants sweeping powers to Deputy Commissioners, enabling them to declare zones off-limits for protests and enforce arbitrary dispersal of gatherings. Registered political parties and unions face stringent requirements for organizing demonstrations, including prior approvals and detailed disclosures about participants and venues. Such measures stifle legitimate dissent and erode fundamental democratic rights under the pretext of maintaining order.
Escalating Grievances in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK)
The ordinance has amplified long-standing grievances against Islamabad’s establishment, which residents accuse of a colonial approach to governance. PoJK continues to grapple with chronic neglect of basic infrastructure, healthcare, and clean water, compounded by enforced disappearances and the suppression of dissent. In 2024 alone, over 20 Kashmiri youths were forcibly disappeared, reflecting a worsening human rights crisis.
Protests have erupted across towns such as Rawalakot, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, with citizens demanding the repeal of the oppressive law. Political activists and pro-independence groups have vowed resistance, calling the ordinance an assault on the rights and dignity of PoJK’s people.
The International Community’s Role
Mr. Hussain made a fervent plea to the international community to intervene in the Jammu & Kashmir conflict. He emphasized that silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity. The UKPNP called on the United Nations, human rights organizations, and democratic nations to send fact-finding missions to assess the deteriorating human rights situation in PoJK.
The international community must also hold Pakistan accountable for its actions and its continued illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir. This includes pressing for the immediate release of political detainees, repealing oppressive legislation, and initiating meaningful dialogue among all stakeholders, including India, Pakistan, and representatives of the Kashmiri people.
A Moral and Legal Imperative
The reunification of Jammu & Kashmir and the recognition of its people’s right to self-determination is not just a regional issue; it is a litmus test for the global commitment to justice, human rights, and the principles of international law. For Mr. Hussain, granting the people of Jammu & Kashmir the opportunity to determine their future is both a moral imperative and a legal obligation for the international community.
A Call to Action
Mr. Hussain concluded his address with a powerful appeal to Britain’s House of Commons and the global community:
“The people of Jammu & Kashmir have waited long enough. Let us act as advocates for peace, equity, and self-determination. Let history remember that this House did not remain silent in the face of injustice.”
The speech serves as a clarion call for immediate and decisive action to end the suffering of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Reunification, self-determination, and the restoration of fundamental rights are not just aspirations but urgent necessities for a region that has endured far too long in the shadow of conflict and oppression.
As Mr. Hussain aptly stated, the time to act is now. The future generations of Jammu & Kashmir, and the world at large, must see this moment as a turning point in the pursuit of justice and dignity for all.
