SEOUL: The international community must act swiftly to resolve the Kashmir conflict, Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), said at a high-profile seminar in Seoul on Wednesday.
Addressing the event titled “Black Day: The Cry of Kashmir for Justice and Freedom,” Syed called on world powers to uphold United Nations resolutions and international law regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
The seminar, organized by the International Interchange Development Association (IIDA), brought together diplomats, human rights advocates, and civil society leaders to highlight ongoing human rights abuses in the region administered by India.
Syed condemned India’s August 5, 2019, revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status as a violation of international law. He described the territory as heavily militarized, with fundamental freedoms restricted and dissent met with harsh crackdowns. He also raised concerns over demographic changes in the region, labeling them a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Highlighting the plight of imprisoned Kashmiri leaders and activists, including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Khurram Parvez, and journalist Sajjad Gul, Syed said decades of repression have not diminished Kashmiris’ determination for self-determination.
Dr. Yongjo Mun, Global President of IIDA, voiced support for the Kashmiri cause and pledged to mobilize his organization’s network across 30 countries to raise awareness. He emphasized that the conflict must be resolved peacefully and that the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination should be respected.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to South Korea, Syed Moazzam H. Shah, reiterated his country’s diplomatic and moral support, warning that India’s refusal to recognize Kashmiris’ rights continues to threaten regional stability.
Concluding the seminar, Ali Raza Syed stressed that the Kashmir issue represents a broader test of global conscience and human rights. Participants collectively called for justice, freedom, and the enforcement of UN resolutions to ensure the rights of the Kashmiri people are realized.
