3 weeks ago
Kashmiri diaspora protests outside Pakistani Consulate over PoK killings
Some people from Kashmir who live in the United Kingdom stood outside the Pakistani Consulate in a city called Bradford to show they are upset.
They held up signs asking Pakistan to stop what they say is hurting of peaceful protesters in a part of Kashmir called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, or PoK.
They said they stand with a civil society group called the Joint Awami Action Committee.
According to the reports, more than 50 people have died and hundreds have been hurt in the region over the last few days.
Some British politicians, like MPs Liam Byrne and Adnan Hussain, also spoke about what is happening.
They said reports of live fire being used against peaceful protesters are deeply alarming.
They called for the violence to stop and for the human rights of Kashmiris to be respected.
They also asked for a full, independent and transparent investigation if Pakistani authorities used excessive or unlawful force.
The politicians said lasting peace can only come from calm, constructive dialogue instead of more violence.
Members of the Kashmiri diaspora, including elderly people, women and children, protested outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford, United Kingdom.
Protesters condemned operations by Pakistani security forces and expressed solidarity with the civil society group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
Placards carried slogans including 'Pakistan Stop Brutalities', 'Pakistan Stop Killing Kashmiris in Rawalakot' and 'We Stand with Awami Action Committee'.
The escalating unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured over the last few days, with the actual death toll expected to be significantly higher.
British MPs Liam Byrne and Adnan Hussain called for an end to the violence, de-escalation, respect for Kashmiris' human rights and a full, independent investigation of any excessive or unlawful force.
- Who
- Kashmiri diaspora members in Bradford, UK, supporting the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC); British MPs Liam Byrne and Adnan Hussain; Pakistani security forces (accused of the crackdown).
- What
- A protest outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford condemning reported killings and brutalities by Pakistani forces against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Where
- Outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford, United Kingdom; the unrest occurred in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- When
- The article does not give a specific date; unrest in PoK has claimed lives over the last few days.
- Why
- Protesters say Pakistani security forces are carrying out a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in PoK and demand international intervention and an end to the violence.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Outside the Pakistani Consulate, Bradford, United Kingdom
- Reported death toll in PoK
- More than 50 over the last few days; actual toll expected to be significantly higher
- Reported injured
- Hundreds
- Group supported by protesters
- Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
- Placard slogans
- 'Pakistan Stop Brutalities', 'Pakistan Stop Killing Kashmiris in Rawalakot', 'We Stand with Awami Action Committee'
- British MPs quoted
- Liam Byrne (Labour) and Adnan Hussain
- Key demands
- End to violence, immediate de-escalation, respect for Kashmiris' human rights, and full independent investigation of unlawful force
- Reported conditions in PoK
- Communications blackout, described as 'completely unacceptable' by MP Liam Byrne
Quotes
Liam Byrne
British Labour Party Member of Parliament
“Reporting the demand for urgent talks, Byrne said, "One, urgent talks with the High Commission of Pakistan here in London to say this has got to stop. But second, we’re demanding to see our Foreign Office ministers too, to ensure that they are making representations at the highest level to the government of Pakistan."”
thehansindia.com
