ANKARA, 28 October 2016: Turkish academics and
writers at a Panel discussion reiterated support for the oppressed people of
Kashmir and urged India and the international community to take steps to
resolve this long-standing dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people
of Kashmir and the UN Security Council resolutions.
The Panel discussion, “Kashmir in Global and Regional
Politics”, was organized by the leading Turkish think-tank “South Asia
Strategic Research Centre” (GASAM) in collaboration with Fatih Sultan Mehmet
Foundation University in Istanbul on Thursday. The event was part of
observation of the “Black Day” – with a view to highlighting the grave
situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and expressing solidarity with the
Kashmiri people facing brutalities for over six decades.
Panellists included Mr. Ali Kurt, Secretary General of the
Union of NGOs of Islamic World, Prof. Selam Öğüt, Law Faculty of Medipol
University, Ms. Merve Şebnem Oruç, journalist and writer, and Mr. Mustafa Uzun,
journalist and writer. Analyst and member of GASAM Aslan Balci moderated the
panel.
Mr. Muhammet Balta, Member of Turkish Parliament and
Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, in his keynote
speech, spoke of the oppression and “extreme” human rights violations occurring
in Occupied Kashmir due to excessive use of force. He urged resolution of the
Kashmir dispute peacefully, in accordance with the UN resolutions, which could
not be implemented so far due to India’s rigidity. He reiterated that
Turkey would continue to support all efforts for a peaceful solution of Kashmir
dispute.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood highlighted
the prevailing situation in IOK and underscored the need for immediately
stopping the grave human rights violations. He noted that besides continuous
curfew, the occupying authorities had clamped media blackout and denial of
access to human rights organizations to the area. Doctors and medical staff had
been harassed, while Kashmiri political leaders were arrested or placed under
detention. Ambassador Sohail reiterated that the people and Government of
Pakistan would continue their political, moral and diplomatic support for the
Kashmiris until a just and durable solution of the dispute was found in
accordance with their wishes ascertained through a free, fair and impartial
plebiscite under the UN auspices. He also expressed sincere gratitude for the
unflinching support of the leadership, Government and people of Turkey for the
Kashmir cause.
Separately, students and faculty of Istanbul University’s
Department of Urdu organized a seminar on Kashmir. The speakers
highlighted the historical, political, legal and humanitarian dimensions of the
issue and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
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