Kashmiri diaspora stages Times Square protest, demands justice and international intervention…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Members of the Kashmiri diaspora in the United States staged a demonstration at Times Square in New York, condemning the reported killing of civilians by Pakistani forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The protesters raised slogans against the Pakistani forces, expressed solidarity with people in the occupied territory and called for an end to what they described as continuing violence and repression.
They carried placards bearing messages including, “For every life lost we demand justice”, “Stop killing Kashmiris” and “Our right, our voice, our future”.
The demonstration in New York came amid protests by Kashmiri diaspora groups in several countries, with demonstrators calling for international intervention over what they described as a crackdown by Pakistani authorities in PoK.
Reports have alleged that hundreds of people have been killed or injured during the crackdown, while parts of the region have faced restrictions including curfews, blockades and a communications blackout.
The developments have also drawn concern from British lawmakers. Last week, more than 70 members of the UK Parliament wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging the United Nations to intervene over the deteriorating situation in PoK and calling for measures to protect civilian lives.
The lawmakers said reports of deaths and injuries, restrictions on communications, arbitrary arrests, disruption of essential supplies and curbs on peaceful civic and political expression had caused serious concern.
They also said they had continued to hear from British Kashmiris who remained deeply anxious about the safety and wellbeing of relatives and loved ones in the region.
The parliamentarians urged the UN, through its appropriate bodies and good offices, to support efforts to end the violence, prevent further loss of life, restore access to communications and ensure the unhindered movement of food, medicines and other essential supplies.
They further called on the UN to press Pakistani authorities to end arbitrary arrests, ensure due process and access to legal representation, and allow independent human rights observers and others able to support peaceful mediation to access the territory.
The lawmakers also stressed the need to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation, arguing that lasting stability could not be achieved through restrictions or confrontation but required meaningful dialogue that addressed the rights and concerns of the Kashmiri people.
