Self-determination to Kashmiris: UNGA adopts Pakistan-sponsored resolution

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday stamped its approval on a Pakistan-sponsored resolution reaffirming the right of peoples to self-determination, re-establishing the legitimacy of the oppressed Kashmiri people's struggle for freedom from Indian occupation.

Adopted by consensus, the resolution, which was co-sponsored co-sponsored by 81 countries, calls on countries to immediately cease their foreign military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories, as well as acts of repression, discrimination and maltreatment.

The text was recommended last month by the 193-member Assembly's Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues.

Under the terms of the resolution, the General Assembly reaffirmed the universal realization of the rights of all peoples, including those under colonial, foreign and alien domination, to self-determination as a fundamental condition for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights.

"Reasserting the legitimacy of the freedom struggle of Kashmiri people based on their inalienable right to self-determination is one of the series of steps we are taking to highlight their plight and fight their case at the United Nations," Ambassador Munir Akram told APP after the passage of the resolution, as he reaffirmed Pakistan's full support to Kashmiris' freedom struggle.

Other steps include spotlighting the dire human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and cautioning the world about serious threat of widespread unrest in Kashmir and thwarting possible Indian aggression against Pakistan in wake of such an uprising, the Pakistani envoy said.

"We will continue this campaign and will keep intensifying our efforts in this regard," Ambassador Akram added. India attempted to annex Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, putting the disputed state under a repressive lockdown, arresting thousands of citizens, including political leaders, and cutting off internet and phone communication.

"We have told the world that with deployment of more than 880,000 security forces, India has imposed a reign of terror in Kashmir, with severe restrictions on all fundamental freedoms and human rights, and total blackout of all forms of communications," Ambassador Akram said.

Today's resolution declared the General Assembly's firm opposition to acts of foreign military intervention, aggression and occupation, since these have resulted in the suppression of the right of peoples to self-determination and other human rights in certain parts of the world.

By further terms, the Assembly deplored the plight of millions of refugees and displaced persons who have been uprooted as a result of these acts and reaffirms their right to return to their homes voluntarily in safety and honour.

It also requested the Human Rights Council to give special attention to the violation of human rights, especially the right to self-determination, resulting from foreign military intervention, aggression or occupation.

"We are also vigorously countering the Indian propaganda which seeks to equate this legitimate struggle with terrorism," Ambassador Akram said. Pakistan has also been warning the international community about an imminent eruption and blowback in Kashmir resulting from India's illegal move to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status that leaves the oppressed Kashmiris with no option but to fight for their freedom.

"We genuinely fear that Indian forces will use extreme forces to suppress this reaction which could result in full-scale 'bloodbath'," the Pakistani envoy said, pointing out that in such a scenario, the possibility of a false flag operation by India could not be ruled out.

"We may see a repeat of Pulwama episode, where India resorted to direct aggression against Pakistan after a young boy in Kashmir targeted a paramilitary convey," Ambassador Akram said.