MUZAFFARABAD: People across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) took to the streets on International Human Rights Day on Sunday, calling upon the United Nations and the international community to play their role in granting Kashmiris their right to self determination.

Of the many events held on this day, the more distinctive was a rally organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace and Justice Forum, an organization which is led by Tanvirul Islam, a former chairman of the alliance of Kashmiri mujahideen groups fighting the Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Participants of the rally held a large banner with portraits and names of 10 prime ministers of western countries who hold the record for “best human rights”.

These include Erna Solberg of Norway, Justin Trudeau of Canada, Charles Michel of Belgium, Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, Juha Sipilä of Finland, Lars Løkke Rasmussen of Denmark, Bjarni Benediktsson of Iceland and Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern of New Zealand.

Mr Benediktsson was succeeded by Katrín Jakobsdóttir on Nov 30. The banner also carried a copy of a letter addressed to these leaders, which Mr Islam later told reporters will be separately sent to them through their embassies and missions in Islamabad.

Many participants were also holding placards inscribed with slogans.

“Kashmiris are not children of a lesser god. They too deserve right to breathe in free air,” read one of the banners which was carried by 73-yer old Jahangir Mir, a post-1990 migrant from Indian held Kashmir.

“When I see young boys and girls injured by Indian bullets and pellets my blood boils,” he said.

“Why do these so-called civilized countries show sympathies for animals but are not moved by the heart rendering scenes from the valley of Kashmir,” he asked.

Speaking at the rally, Mr Islam said an early settlement of this longstanding dispute between the two nuclear armed neighbors is in the interests of South Asia and the world at large.

“Given the threat unresolved Kashmir dispute poses to the peace and security of the whole world, it is imperative that the UN and developed countries focus their attention on a peacefully negotiated settlement at the earliest,” he said.

Regarding the letters which will be sent to the 10 prime ministers, he said: “While we have appreciated the way these nations have implemented universal declarations and covenants on human rights in their respective countries, we have also made them a request to raise their voice against human rights violations in other parts of world as well, particularly oppressed and occupied territories.”

He said the Kashmiri people were struggling for the realization of their inalienable right to self determination for the past seven decades, but instead of honoring its pledges to the international community in this regard and creating an environment conducive to the implementation of the UN resolutions, India had waged a war against them.

“In fact, the term ‘human rights abuses’ has become insignificant and irrelevant in the wake of the brutal use of bullets and pellets by Indian forces,” he added.

He said UN Secretary General António Guterres should also intervene without further loss of time or else India would continue to employ brute military force against the peaceful resistance of Kashmiri people.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaukat Jan Bachh, a former president of the AJK Officers’ Association, said Kashmiris expect an early intervention from the UN and all other champions of human rights from across the globe to play their role in ending their plight.

“The observance of a day is not enough. There must be practical steps to ensure a peaceful and violence free world for all human beings, regardless of their race and religion,” he said. Another organization, the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights, staged a sit-in outside the press club, followed by a rally to mark the International Human Rights Day.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2017