Turkey’s strong support for Kashmir reaffirmed at vigil observing 15th August as ‘Black Day’

ANKARA, 15August 2019: While condemning the recent spate of violence and oppression unleashed by the security forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir after the illegal and unilateral revocation of special status of Kashmir by India, Turkey’s traditional support for the just cause of Kashmir has been strongly reaffirmed. A large number of Turks at a vigil organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara on Thursday reiterated Turkey’s abiding commitment in this regard. The event was part of ‘Black Day’ commemorations to protest against recent illegal decisions by India in the Occupied Kashmir and to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

In his remarks on the occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Mr. M. Syrus Sajjad Qazi highlighted the untold sufferings of the Kashmiri people after India locked down Kashmir in the wake of its recent illegal decisions which defys all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and bilateral agreements. He said that the Kashmiris were being punished for demanding their inalienable right to self-determination. From being occupier in Kashmir for over seven decades, India has now become a colonizer with its recent steps, he added. 

Ambassador Syrus Qazi urged the international community not to remain silent on the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Along with taking steps to help address the current situation which the Ambassador termed as another Srebrenica in the making, he expressed the hope that the world community should pressurize India to reverse its illegal steps as well as play its rightful role in promoting a just, peaceful and durable solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Ambassador Qazi also expressed sincere gratitude for the unflinching support of the people and Government of Turkey for the cause of Kashmir.

The event concluded with the lighting of candles by all the participants, commemorating the Kashmiri martyrs and pledging strong solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Earlier, Quran Khawani was held at Pakistan House Ankara for the Kashmiri martyrs and for those unarmed Kashmiris who are fighting the Indian occupation forces.