A protest demon stration will beheld outside the UN building in New York on Saturday (September 25) when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address the United Nations General Assembly.
The protesters will demand intervention of the World Body for immediate lifting of the military occupation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir by New Delhi, release of all political prisoners and restoration of communications and internet connectivity in the occupied territory.
The protest will be organized by the US-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum and co-sponsored by US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), Majlis-As-Shura New York, Islamic Circle of North America and Council for Social Justice.
A press release issued by the World Kashmir Awareness Forum said, “The United Nations Security Council enshrined Kashmir’s right to self-determination via plebiscite over 70 years ago – yet this vote has never taken place.
Today, the region remains illegally occupied by India, with 100,000 civilian lives lost. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu Nationalist party, conditions have further deteriorated, and Kashmir’s limited autonomies have been revoked. The region is on the brink of disaster and genocide.”
The region, the press release added, is also facing a devastating occupation and humanitarian crisis. “73 years of Indian military occupation have produced an existential threat, with 100,000 civilian deaths, 10,000 missing, and civic, political and economic life critically suppressed.”
“In the past year, conditions have further deteriorated due to forced demographic changes and the lockdown and an at-will communication blackout imposed by the Modi government, paralyzing the IIOJK’s economy, education, healthcare system and social existence.” Kashmiris and allies from across the world will participate in the protest.—KMS
