Events mark Kashmir Solidarity Day in Turkey; Indian atrocities condemned & Kashmiris’ right to self-determination reiterated

ANKARA, 5 February 2020: Events to commemorate the Kashmir Solidarity Day were held today in Turkey in an expression of strong support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris living in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K).

Pakistan Embassy Ankara & Pakistan-Turkey Cultural Association co-organized a Kashmir Solidarity Day event in Ankara which was attended by a large number of Turkish Parliamentarians, representatives of several Turkish political parties, local media, think-tanks, as well as a huge turnout of the Pakistani diaspora and students in Turkey.

Messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Kashmir Solidarity Day were read on the occasion.

In his statement, Ambassdor of Pakistan to Turkey, Syrus Sajjad Qazi said that India was perpetrating the most brutal and unforgivable crimes against Kashmiris in IOJ&K by sealing them off from the rest of the world. He added that it was time for the international community to step in and play its moral and legal responsibility towards the Kashmiris. He stated that UN Security Council’s recent consultations on Jammu & Kashmir re-affirm its disputed status, and show growing concern of the international community. He thanked Turkey’s principled support on the issue and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue providing all possible political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris at all forums.

The event was also addressed by the Chairman of the Grand Unity Party and Member of the Parliament, Mr. Mustafa Destici; Chairman of the Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Association, Burhan Kayatürk; and the President of Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE), Mr. Muhammet Savaş Kafkasyali, among other. The speakers underscored the need for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions for lasting peace and stability in South Asia. 

Separately, a seminar was also co-organized by Pakistan Embassy Ankara and Turkish think-tank Economic and Social Research Center (ESAM) to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. 

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassdor of Pakistan said that Jammu & Kashmir dispute was one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council. He said that the relevant UNSC resolutions were a legal guarantee against any unilateral change in Jammu & Kashmir’s disputed status. Indian illegal actions of 5 August 2019 were a blatant violation of UNSC resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements. He called for upholding the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris and for ending gross violations of human rights forthwith. 

The event was also addressed by President of ESAM Mr. Recai Kutan and the Chairman of Saadet Party, Mr. Temel Karamollaoglu. 

An event to express solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir was also held at the Consulate General of Pakistan Istanbul in which a large number of members of the Pakistani diaspora participated. Speaking on the occasion, the participants expressed solidarity with the people of IOJ&K; called on international community to uphold Kashmiris’ right to self-determination; and put pressure on Indian to end its atrocities.