Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™
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On the Occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, High Commission for Pakistan in Canberra organized a Webinar
On
Friday, 5th August 2022, to commemorate Youm-e-Istehsal and to show solidarity
with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK),
different activities were organized around Australia.
Speaking at the
Federal Parliament, Senator David Shoebridge called 5th August the day of
mourning and highlighted the grave humanitarian and human rights crisis in
Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In his statement,
Senator Jordon Steele-John underscored the need for international community to
take cognizance of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in IIOJK. He called 5th
August a day of mourning for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He further stated
that ‘the Australian Government needed to do more to help.’
The High
Commission for Pakistan in Canberra also organized a webinar titled “Continuing
Humanitarian Crisis in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)”.
The keynote Speakers included Senator Dr. Mehreen Faruqi, Senator Jordon
Steele-John, former Senator Lee Rhiannon, Ms. Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Syed
Faiz Naqshbandi, Professor Samina Yasmeen and High Commissioner for Pakistan
H.E. Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri.
Speaking at the Webinar, the Speakers
condemned the human rights abuses being carried out by the Indian Security
Forces in IIOJK, especially arbitrary detention of children, enforced
disappearances, harassment of journalists, and incarceration of Kashmiri
leadership on trumped-up charges. They expressed grave concern over the Indian
colonization of IIOJK being carried out especially after August 5, 2019. The
growing intolerance in India against minorities, especially attacks against
Muslims was also pointed out.
Highlighting the need for building global
support for Kashmiri’s right to self-determination, the speakers expressed
their resolve to continue to raise their voices at all forums. The speakers
also called on India to restore and respect the human rights of the people of
IIOJK.
In their remarks, all speakers underscored the urgent need for
resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute according to the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri
people.
Speaking at the webinar, Ms. Mushaal Hussein Mullick stated that
the past three years had been traumatic and tragic for the people of IIOJK.
Indian actions were followed by a demographic change in the region. She added
that the Kashmiri people were under a military siege and were facing ethnic
cleansing, war crimes and genocide by Indian Security Forces. She shared the
pain and agony her family was going through after the arrest of her husband and
after being served life sentence in a false terror-funding case. She called on
Australian leadership to raise the human rights violations with the Indian
government.
High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in his remarks stated
that the international community should call on India to end its military siege
of IIOJK, release the incarcerated Kashmiri leaders, stop, and reverse the
changes in the demographic structure of IIOJK; end extra-judicial killings in
fake encounters and staged cordon and search operations and restore all
fundamental rights and freedom of the Kashmiri people. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s
full support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle till the realization
of their right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant UNSC
resolutions.
The webinar was attended by the Australian Parliamentarians,
academicians, civil society groups, media, and Pakistani and Kashmiri community
members.
In addition to above activities, Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora
in Sydney also organized a peaceful car rally from Marrickville to City to mark
three years of Youm-e-Istehsaal in Kashmir. The vehicles displayed banners to
show solidarity with the people of IIOJK.
