British Kashmiris presented their Manifesto for social justice in the UK and just peace in Jammu Kashmir to put Kashmir on the Agenda
Six weeks ahead of the General Election 2015 in the United Kingdom a leading Kashmiri Diaspora community development organisation Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF) has launched an innovative community campaign to put Kashmir on the agenda.
For the first time British Kashmiri Manifesto has been launched for social justice in the UK and Just Peace in Jammu and Kashmir in an impressive KDF – Parliamentary reception hosted by Simon Danczuk MP and chaired by Sardar Aftab Khan, Executive Director, Kashmir Development Foundation on 24th March at the Parliament House.
Leading British parliamentarian Clive Betts MP, Chairman Communities and Local Government Select Committee, Rt. Hon Sir Gerald Kaufman MP, David Ward MP, Fabian Hamilton MP, John Hemming MP, Nic Dakin MP and Sofiya Ahmed PPC (Green Party) attended the ceremony and signed up to support the British Kashmiri Manifesto. The specific commitments in the manifesto are as under;
Recognition and inclusion of Kashmiri national/ethnic Identity and most commonly spoken community language: Pahari in all the ethnic monitoring systems at local and national level in the UK to eliminate unlawful discrimination, socio-economic deprivation and inequality that exists within British Kashmiri Diaspora community as compared to other minority ethnic communities in the UK.
Extending direct humanitarian aid for the victims of natural disasters and violent conflict in Jammu Kashmir.
Investing in the development of infrastructure for peace, conflict transformation and decentralised and democratic system of governance in all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir by calling upon UK Government to continue to support indigenous peacebuilding and conflict transformation initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate peaceful settlement of one of the deadliest conflict in South Asia through dialogue and peaceful means; and specifically, ensuring that 30% of the UK International Aid given to Pakistan should be invested directly in Pakistan administered Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan.
Empowerment of the voices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the dialogue process as a principle stakeholder in any negotiations between India and Pakistan and international community to transform the conflict and the realisation of their inalienable right of self-determination.
Call upon UN, EU and International Community to impress upon Indian and Pakistani governments;
a) to respect fundamental human rights of the people in their respective administered parts of Jammu and Kashmir by further enhancing confidence building measures (CBMs) to facilitate more free movement of civilians, humanitarian aid and Intra- Jammu & Kashmir trade and tourism across Line of Control (LOC).
b) Free all political prisoners and allow international humanitarian organisation to work across LoC to help in relieving poverty, advancing education, and health and wellbeing of the people within all the regions of former princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion the British Parliamentarians welcomed the five point manifesto and stressed the need for recognition of the Kashmiri ethnic and national identity in the local monitoring systems to alleviate the deprivation, exclusion and discrimination many of the Kashmiri community members experience in the UK and resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute according to the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their inclusion as a principle party in any negation process between India and Pakistan to transform conflict and build peace in South Asia.
Simon Danczuk MP said: “ This is an excellent opportunity ahead of general election to meet and know more about the key issues and concerns affecting the lives of many of my constituents’ of Kashmiri heritage and British Kashmiri community.”
Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF) is a Rochdale based development organisation that empowers the Voices of under-represented people and communities, and promotes participation by Kashmiris in civil life and constructive dialogue within and across Communities.
The Executive Director of Kashmir Development Foundation, Sardar Aftab Khan said: “We are taking the citizens diplomacy at next level by engaging with the members of parliament and prospective parliamentary candidates to bring Jammu & Kashmir issue at the heart of British political debates during 2015 General Election and seeking concrete expression of their support for the British Kashmiri community manifesto for social justice in the UK and just peace in Jammu Kashmir.”
David Ward MP commended KDF work to inform the parliamentarians about the real issues Kashmiri community face in the UK. He said: “KDF has presented a framework and manifesto that would help everyone to do practical work and develop a range of initiatives to support the community here and building bridges across communities.”
“I can give my life time commitment for the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmiri conflict and I am delighted to sign British Kashmiri Manifesto”, said Rt Hon Sir Gerald Kaufman.
A large number civil society and political activities from all sections of the political spectrum attended the launching ceremony of the British Kashmiri Manifesto and firmly stated that they will advance British Kashmiri Manifesto at all levels and lobby all the candidates from ten major political parties to extend their concrete expression of support and commitment by sign up to five point agenda to help the members of Kashmiri diaspora community in their quest for Social Justice in the UK and Just Peace in Jammu Kashmir.
“We hope that this manifesto will provide British Kashmiri community an opportunity to make their issues known to policy makers at local, national and international level, and help building peace in Jammu Kashmir”, said Mohammed Ajeeb CBE first Kashmiri and Lord Mayor of Bradford.
Cllr Daalat Ali stressed the need for the recognition of Kashmiri national identity in local and national census and ethnic monitoring systems to alleviate the disadvantage and discrimination experienced by many Kashmiris in accessing public services in the UK.
The Civil Society representative in attendance were Mohmmed Ajeeb CBE, the first Kashmiri and Asian Former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Daalat Ali, Coordinator KNIC, Syed Zulfiqar Shah (Reading), Ch Arif (London), Azher Ahemd (High Wycomb), Raja Sajid and Raja Rashid (Hemel Hempstead), Sardar Zia (Birmingham), Zia Ahmed (Leeds), Farooq Qureshi (Rochdale), Shahid Ahmed Noor (Leeds), Julie Fernivall (Luton), Syed Mohib Shah (Reading), Salam Kashmiri, Mohammed Luqman (Huddersfield) and Cynthia Poyton (London).
Mahmmood Kashmiri, Chairman All Party National Independence Alliance (JKNIA) said: “the members of JKNIA will work in partnership with KDF to get maximum signatures from the prospective parliamentary candidates from all parties to make them aware of this community manifesto.
Ershad Malik Advocate representative of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) said: “This manifesto has provided us an opportunity to promote unity and work together for lasting resolution of Kashmir conflict according to the wishes of the people of all the regions of Jammu Kashmir.”
“I feel that the British Kashmiri community and mainstream political parties in the UK must develop a lasting partnership to tackle inequality and promote fairness and justice for all Kashmiris throughout the world starting UK and all parts of Jammu Kashmir in a meaningful way” said Cllr Ghulam Hussain, president Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM).
Sadiq Subhani Advocate, president Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP) said: “British Kashmiri Manifesto is an important step forward and we will fully support the initiative and actively promote this manifesto for social justice in the UK and Just peace in Jammu Kashmir.”
“The prolonged conflict in Jammu Kashmir has adverse effect on the lives and livelihood of the people of Jammu Kashmir and particularly the people living across the line of control. The international community must take notice of the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and humanitarian organisation should have free access to operate across LOC in Jammu Kashmir” said Sardar Paras Khan president Tehreek-e-Kashmir (London Branch).
The representatives of the Kashmiri political organisations Mahmmood Kashmiri, Chairman All Party National Independence Alliance (JKNIA), Ershad Malik Advocate Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), Ghulam Hussain, president, Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM), Sadiq Subhani Advocate, president, JKNAP, Sardar Amjad yousaf, president, UKPNP (Europe), Sardar Sabir Gul, Chief organiser JKLF and Sardar Paras Khan, president Tehreek-e-Kashmir (London) speaking on the occasion extended full support and commitment to support British Kashmiri Manifesto.
KDF is asking volunteers to join the campaign. For further details please visit on-line at: http://www.kdfajk.org/pledge-to-support-bkm-2015