Kashmiri diaspora protests outside Pakistani Consulate in UK over killings of PoK protesters

London, Aug 6 (IANS) Several members of the Kashmiri diaspora staged a protest outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford city of the United Kingdom, condemning brutalities by Pakistani forces against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The protesters, including elderly people, women and children, expressed solidarity with the civil society group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), while calling for an end to the cruel operations carried out by the Pakistani security forces in the region.

They carried placards that read: ‘Pakistan Stop Brutalities’, ‘Pakistan Stop Killing Kashmiris in Rawalakot’ and ‘We Stand with Awami Action Committee’, and raised slogans condemning the Pakistani forces.

The escalating unrest in PoK has claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured over the last few days. The actual death toll is expected to be significantly higher.

The Bradford protest comes amid growing demonstrations by Kashmiri diaspora groups outside Pakistani diplomatic missions across the world. The protesters have been demanding international intervention over what they describe as a brutal crackdown by Pakistani authorities in PoK.

Last week, several British parliamentarians expressed grave concern over brutalities by Pakistani forces against civilians as unrest in PoK continued to intensify.

British Labour Party MP Liam Byrne said that reports of live fire being used against peaceful protesters in PoK are “deeply alarming”.

Describing the communications blackout and human rights abuse in the occupied territory as “completely unacceptable”, Byrne said that the All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir — a cross-party group in the UK Parliament — has made two demands.

“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. Ultimately, what is needed here is to honour the long-term commitments made in UN resolutions all those years ago. But in the here and now, we need the violence to stop,” the British lawmaker stated.

“We need immediate de-escalation. We need calm heads. And crucially, we need the human rights of Kashmiris to be observed now,” he added.

Calling the killing of civilians in PoK a “tragedy”, another British MP, Adnan Hussain, said that any use of excessive or unlawful force by Pakistani authorities must be subject to a full, independent and transparent investigation.

“I urge all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilian life and engage in peaceful dialogue. Lasting solutions can only be achieved through calm, constructive engagement rather than further violence or escalation. My thoughts are with all those affected, particularly constituents with family and loved ones in the region,” Hussain stated.

–IANS

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