British MP urges all states to speak up against human rights violations in IOK

After India deported Debbie Abrahams, she hoped new Delhi would follow Islamabad's approach and allow a visit

British lawmaker Debbie Abrahams on Wednesday said it is the obligation of all states, according to the UN Convention, to speak up against another state experiencing human rights violations.

After being deported from India on Monday, Abrahams, a Labour Party lawmaker who chairs a parliamentary group focused on Kashmir - All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir (APPG) – arrived in Islamabad.

During a press briefing alongside Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and British MP Imran Hussain, the lawmaker appreciated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for facilitating the APPG  and hoped India would follow Pakistan's approach and allow them to visit.

"We are not anti-India or pro-Pakistan. We are pro-human rights," she added.

India deports British MP known for highlighting Kashmir issue

Abrahams urged the international community to speak up against the grave human rights violation in the occupied region and recognise that human rights should be a priority.

"It is our obligation according to the UN Convention to speak up against another state experiencing human rights violation. It is not just about trade."

Responding to a question about India's claims of the Kashmir issue being an 'internal matter', the foreign minister responded that the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the UNSC resolutions are as relevant today as they were previously.

"If that is so, then it is no longer an internal matter. It is an internationally recognised dispute," Qureshi remarked.

He also noted that international human rights bodies referred to India's Public Safety Act as "draconian" and minorities living in India referred to the Citizen Amendment Act as "folly".

APPG convey concerns to UN Secretary General, Indian HC on Kashmir

British MP Imran Hussain urged the international community to speak up against the draconian legislations that are considered illegal according to the law, adding that "it can never be an internal issue, it's an international one".

Recognising that the Kashmir issue is the longest-running land dispute in the world, the British lawmaker said the party will take their observations back and pressurise the British government to speak up against the situation in occupied Kashmir.

Qureshi also said the Munich Security Council recognised that Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint and if things get worse, it is unimaginable what the global impact may be.

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