Honourable Mr. Ali ŞAHİN , Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today Kashmiri people and Pakistanis all over the world are commemorating 27 October as a Black Day to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
On this day 73 years ago, Indian forces landed in Srinagar to occupy and oppress the innocent people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in a blatant violation of international law.
This day marked the beginning of a long night of oppression for the Kashmiris under Indian occupation, and a grave human tragedy that continues to this very day.
This day is also a stark reminder of the broken promises and unfulfilled commitments made to the Kashmiri people. Promises made by India to the Kashmiri people for a plebiscite and commitments undertaken by India, when it had taken the matter first time to the UN in January 1948 and accepted its prescription.
The denial of the right to self-determination to the Kashmiris remains at the very heart of this dispute.
In these seven decades, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has become one of the most militarized zones in the world, where Indian occupation forces have committed massive human rights violations, widely known to international community.
After India’s illegal and unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, which were in violation of several UNSC resolutions, an unprecedented, more than a year long, military siege and communication blockade has imposed enormous suffering upon Kashmiris.
The human rights violations include extra-judicial killings of Kashmiri youth in fake "encounters" and so called "cordon and search" operations by the Indian occupation forces as well as forced disappearances and arbitrary arrests and detentions of senior Kashmiri leaders and activists.
Taking advantage of the world’s preoccupation with the Covid-19 pandemic, and to perpetuate its illegal occupation of IIOJK, the BJP government has introduced illegal domicile rules in IIOJK in a bid to change the disputed region’s demography to advance its ‘Hindutva’ agenda in form of a demographic assault.
Like all occupying powers, India has attempted to deny access to the world in its occupied territory. There are several pending access related requests from various UN mechanisms in the IIOJK. At the same time, India has tried taking away every outlet through which the Kashmiris could express themselves. Just a few days ago, the Indian authorities have sealed the offices of leading English language dailies, ‘Kashmir Times’, and ‘Kashmir News Service’.
Despite that global Parliaments, international human rights organizations as well as the international media have been vocal in their condemnation of the ongoing military siege in the IIOJK.
The international community needs to use all tools at its disposal to:
- · hold India accountable for its illegal and unilateral actions and human rights violations against the Kashmiri people,
- · pressurize India to adhere to its international human rights obligations, and,
- · allow international media, humanitarian organizations and independent observers entry into IIOJK to independently verify reports of abuse, violations and use of excessive force.
Above all, we urge the international community to fulfill its moral and legal obligation by giving Kashmiris the chance to realize their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with UNSC resolutions.
We are extremely grateful for Turkey’s principled position and continuous support on Jammu & Kashmir Dispute, particularly President Erdogan highlighting the Kashmir Issue in his address during the 75th session of United Nations General Assembly.
The people of Jammu & Kashmir as well as the people and the Government of Pakistan are truly thankful to their Turkish brothers and sisters for their firm and unflinching support for the just resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people
In the end, I would also like congratulate Ms. Nesibe Yavaş, a Turkish student, who won second prize yesterday in the International Declamation Contest organized by Pakistan’s Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan to sensitize the world community on the ongoing human rights violations in the IIOJK. I would also like to appreciate the two young international students from Pakistan Embassy International Study Group, who have been selected for their video recital of their letter to the world. It gives me immense pleasure to see the youth contributing in this manner.
We express complete solidarity with the people of IIOJK and assure our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that the Government and people of Pakistan remain shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Pakistan will not relent in its support until the Kashmiris realize their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
We have faith, that one day Kashmiri people will realize their aspirations. Inshallah.
Thank you
