Denoting the yearly Black Day, the Kashmir Council of Australia arranged a gathering in the Parliament House Building of New South Wales (NSW), to challenge the unlawful control of the province of Jammu and Kashmir by Indian powers on 27 October 1947. The subject of the discussion this year was “Human Rights situation in Jammu-Kashmir and its effect on vulnerable communities – women, children, old and youth”
The occasion was held on Wednesday, 24th October 2018. This Forum was attended to by senior NSW parliamentarians from various gatherings including Honorable Shaoquett Moselmane, Labor Party Member Legislative Council
H.E. Mr. Babar Amin, High Commissioner of Pakistan
Honourable Shaoquett Moselmane, Opposition Whip
Honourable David Shoebridge, Greens MLC,
Former Federal Senator Lee Rhiannon
Prof Jakelin Troy, University of Sydney
Mr. Kyser Trad, Founder of Islamic Friendship Association of Australia
The event started with reciting of Quran by Molana Nazeerul Hassan Thanvi.
Mr. Saeed Khan thanks all Guests and Speakers.
Wajiha Ahmed was MC of the event.
Speaking on the occasion Former Senator Lee Rhiannon shared experiences of her recent visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and interaction with the refugees and Kashmiri leadership. Drawing attention to the report of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) about the situation in Kashmir, she called for an independent international investigation into human rights violations as recommended in the Report. Ms. Lee appreciated Pakistan’s pledge to cooperate with the OHCHR in the conduct of Independent Inquiry and expressed disappointment over the rogue response by the Indian Government to the Report.
In his remarks Honourable Shaoquett Moselmane, called for respect of human rights of Kashmiris and urged all parties to come together for the sake of peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Honourable David Shoebridge, regarded the Kashmir issue as unfinished injustice of colonialism. He emphasized the need to respect the human rights of Kashmiris including the right to self-determination.
Professor Jakelin Troy of University of Sydney acknowledged the frustration of Kashmiris with the UN and called for ensuring the respect, dignity and human rights of all Kashmiris especially of the vulnerable communities. Mr. Kyser Trad deplored the selective application of principles of human rights and called for investigation under the UN auspices of the crimes being committed against the people of Kashmir.
Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Butt of the Kashmir Council expressed that Kashmiris were consistent in their interest for self-assurance and emphatically censured the barbarities being committed by the Indian occupation forces in Kashmir. He asked the Australian government, universal network and peace-adoring individuals over the globe to expand their full help for the fight of the Kashmiri individuals and to make strides for protecting their human rights.
Abbas Rana, President of the Pakistan Association of Australia, called upon the government of Australia to take notice and action on the human rights violations in Kashmir.
The High Commissioner, Babar Amin widened upon the beginning of the Kashmir question and the illicit Indian control of the Jammu and Kashmir. While repeating Pakistan’s duty to give its good, political and discretionary help to the general population of Kashmir, the High Commissioner expressed that tending to human rights infringement must remain a need past political expediencies.
High Commissioner Babar Amin trusted that as individual from the UN Human Rights Council Australia would hold hands with Pakistan to guarantee execution of the proposals of the Report of OHCHR.
The event was well attended by the Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Australians. There was a consensus among the Speakers and participants on the imperative need to address the plight of the Kashmiri people and called for urgent action by the international community and Australia to address the issue.
Prof Jakelin Troy, HC Babar Amin and CG Yousfani
Consul General Mr Abdul Majid Yousfani and H.E. Babar Amin
Mr. Muhammad Asif, President of Australia Pakistan Chamber of Trade was also present
