Kashmiri activists, European Parliamentarians hail abrogation of Article 370

Mar 03, 2020

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 02 (ANI): Activists and journalists from Jammu and Kashmir, PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, who have shared a stage with European parliamentarian and foreign experts, have hailed the abrogation of Article 370. They discussed the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir at an event titled "Jammu and Kashmir: sifting facts from fiction" at Geneva Press Club on Monday. The event held on the sidelines of 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council also focused on Pakistan's interference in Jammu and Kashmir amid its deteriorating human rights record. Nathan Gill, Former Member of European Parliament praised Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 saying that it was an appropriate to fight against terrorism in the region and give equal treatment to the people in Kashmir. "The Union Territory has seen a new dawn and people here have seen themselves as equal citizens in India", said Gill while speaking at the event. Syed Tehmeena, a woman activist from Kashmir valley said that the women in the region will enjoy better rights after the abrogation of Article 370. She said, "A Kashmiri girl who will marry outside Kashmir will now not lose her property rights. A Kashmiri woman who married outside Kashmir in the past, she and her children were not having the right to own a property in Kashmir. Now they can buy a land and house, which is her right". Tehmeena added that Pakistan has no right to interfere in the Kashmir issue, rather it should work to improve its own legislation and government system. "Pakistan has worked to improve its film industry and theatres, where as our theatres were forced to close by carrying out attacks", said Tehmeena. Gianna Gancia, a Member of European Parliament highlighted the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan, especially the people from minority community. She said, "India's move to introduce Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will help the persecuted minority community to get citizenship in India". Brian Toll, Former Director of European Commission said that Kashmir is the most beautiful part of the world where people are known for their hospitality. However, it faced worst years because of rise in terrorism with the support of Pakistan. Mohd. Sajjad Raja, President, JKNAP, UK, who hails from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) said that Pakistan is the occupier of Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad call it ‘Azad' or Free Kashmir which is a total fiction. "I am fromthat part of the world and there is no freedom to the people in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir. We have no constitutional, legal, religious or social rights there. All banned terror organisation are free to work in our part of Jammu and Kashmir", said Raja. He said that the people in PoK have no human rights, which is a fact and not fiction. Senge Sering, President, Gilgit Baltistan Studies said that Pakistan has used GB as a launch pad for terrorists as everybody knows that Kargil war as it was initiated, orchestrated from Gilgit-Baltistan.