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WASHINGTON: The participants of International Kashmir Peace Conference were unanimous in calling for an early, just and durable solution to Jammu & Kashmir dispute taking into account aspirations of Jammu & Kashmir people.
Kashmiri-American Council & Association of Humanitarian Lawyers organised Annual International Kashmir Peace Conference in Washington, on July 29-30, 2010 entitled India-Pakistan Relations: Breaking Deadlock over Kashmir was attended by over 300 participants including academicians, scholars, parliamentarians, journalists, human rights activists, diplomats from India, Pakistan, Jammu & Kashmir, England, Europe and United States.
Participants unanimously said the said resolution must be with participation of all three parties to the dispute i.e. India, Pakistan and people of Jammu & Kashmir. They acknowledged right of Kashmiri Pandits and all other migrants and displaced persons who left Kashmir to return. The normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan will go a long way in finding such an amicable solution to Kashmir. They acknowledged Pakistan and India have common stake in addressing long neglected issues of poverty, deprivation and hunger in their countries. They expressed grave concern over deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and urged Indian government to withdraw its armed forces from civilian populated areas and establish an impartial commission with immediate effect to investigate recent killings in a transparent manner.
The participants condemned efforts to muzzle the press and expressed need to restore right to assemble and freedom of expression. They also condemned draconian laws like Indian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSAPA), Disturbed Areas Act, Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act and demanded withdrawal of these laws. -PPI
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