Aleena Zafar
The International Day of Living Together in Peace, celebrated on May 16th, fosters World peace, toler-ance, and understanding. It emphasizes the value of diversity, resolving disputes through dialogue, and promoting education and communication.
It stresses the importance of principles like soli-darity, cooperation, and empathy in creating a more inclusive and peaceful world. World celebrates this day to promote non-violence through dialogues. Last year, on this day, UNESCO wrote, “Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.”
This day invites individuals to participate in events, talks, and campaigns that value variety and build intercultural understanding and cooperation. It strongly encourages the value of education, knowl-edge, and communication in eradicating prejudice and strongly talks about a culture of peace and non-violence.
The International Day of Living Together in Peace holds significant relevance in the context of the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan has constantly pushed for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict. Pakistan emphasizes the critical need for peace, harmony, and the protection of human rights in the area by linking this day to the Kashmir conflict. We demand an end to the persecution, violence, and human rights violations that continue in India’s Illegally Occupied Kashmir.
The International Day of Living Together in Peace reminds the world community of the pain experienced by the Kashmiri people and the signifi-cance of finding a fair and long-lasting resolution to the conflict. It emphasizes the value of conversation and interaction to address the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and provide them the chance to live in peace and dignity.
India’s activities in Kashmir have violated the International Day of Living Together in Peace’s objectives and purpose. The Indian government’s strategy in the region, characterized by a sizable military presence, repression of the opposition, and human rights violations, runs counter to the princi-ples of peaceful coexistence, respect for others, and communication. India’s unilateral decision to hold the G20 meeting in Srinagar, Kashmir, is seen by many as an attempt to legitimize its control over the disputed territory. In addition to undermining the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, this action ignores demands from other countries for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The residents of IIOJK are giving their lives to seek freedom from India’s illegal occupation. How-ever, this step of India and the G20 is equivalent to putting Kashmiris’ efforts on fire. The Kashmiri people have long been struggling for their right to self-determination and to live a peaceful life. India is continuously suppressing their voices, and holding the G20 meeting is like adding fuel to the fire. The continuing implementation of harsh security measures and limitations on people’s freedom of movement in Kashmir fosters an atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and social division. It muzzles the Kashmiri people’s voices and prevents any fruitful communication or harmonious cohabitation.
In Kashmir, a climate of mistrust, fear, and social division have been created by the ongoing imposition of strict security measures and restrictions on people’s freedom of movement. It stifles the voices of the Kashmiri people and hinders any productive dialogue or peaceful coexistence. The issue is made worse by the Indian government’s failure to have substantive discussions with all parties involved, including Pakistan and the leadership of Kashmir. It undermines efforts to build a welcoming and peaceful environment where the desires and worries of all parties can be taken into account through communication, comprehension, and compromise.
YFK stands with the brothers and sisters of IIOJK in their quest for the right to self-determination and believes that hosting the G20 meeting in IIOJK will undermine the efforts of the Kashmiri people and will further escalate tensions in the region. The G20 meeting is an opportunity for World leaders to promote cooperation and economic growth. However, it should not come at the cost of any nation’s human rights and sovereignty. Rather than legitimizing the control of India over the entire region by attending the G20 meeting in Srinagar, the World must come together to support the people of Kashmir, and they should promote dialogue and peace in the region.
In light of the International Day of Living To-gether in Peace, It is essential to raise attention to India’s transgressions and to demand a sincere commitment to peace, justice, and respect for human rights. India must be held responsible for its actions. We request that the international community to uphold the ideals of coexistence, promote inclusive discourse, and develop an atmosphere conducive to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The G20 countries, in the light of this day, should take some concrete steps to promote peace in IIOJK. The World should raise its voice and should stand together in their struggle for independence.
[The writer is a Research Officer at YFK, inter-national kashmir lobby group.]
