UK debate urges recognition of Kashmir as int'l dispute

An official debate on Kashmir was held in the UK Parliament to mark International Human Rights Day, urging the British government to recognise that Kashmir is not a bilateral issue but an international dispute.

UK Minister, Hamish Falconer – Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office responded to questions raised by MPs.

The debate was arranged by Imran Hussain, Member of Parliament for Bradford East and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir.

Around 25 Members of Parliament participated, including Afzal Khan, Jeremy Corbyn, Andy McDonald, Gareth Snell, Jim Shannon, Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan, Richard Burgon, Muhammad Iqbal, Tahir Ali, Abtisam Mohamed, and others.

The debate called on the UK Government to recognise that Kashmir is not a bilateral issue but an international dispute.

The debate called on the UK to reaffirm its commitment to UN resolutions, push for an end to human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and ensure independent observers have access to the region.

It urged that human rights protections be central to any UK-India trade negotiations and encouraged renewed international diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful, just, and lasting solution based on the will of the Kashmiri people.

The debate was part of Hussain's wider campaign. He tabled EDM 2184 on Kashmir Black Day, which has already gained signatures from over 40 MPs, and organised a cross-party letter from 50 MPs to the prime minister, calling for a stronger UK position on Kashmir.

Fahim Kayani, President of the All-Party Kashmir Alliance UK and President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, attended the debate as an observer.

He thanked all MPs at the end of the session for their continued support, reaffirmed the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination, and expressed concern over the situation in IIOJK.