Brussels, July 31 : Sixteen European parliamentarians have written a letter to the European Commission on the \u201chumanitarian situation\u201d in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, urging the European Union to raise its voice on the issue and take action.<\/p>\n
The letter addressed to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Vice President, Josep Borrell, has been written by Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI), Dino Giarrusso, (NI), Javier Nart (Renew Europe), Chiara Maria Gemma, (NI), Salima Yenbou, (Greens\/EFA), Carles Puigdemont I Casamaj\u00f3, (NI), Antoni Com\u00edn I Oliveres, (NI), Clara Ponsat\u00ed Obiols, (NI), Brando Benifei, (S&D), Massimiliano Smeriglio, (S&D), Manuela Ripa, (Greens\/EFA), Idoia Villanueva Ruiz, (GUE\/NGL), Rosa D\u2019amato, (Greens\/EFA), Andrea Cozzolino, (S&D), Dom\u00e8nec Ruiz Devesa, (S&D), Helmut Scholz, (GUE\/NGL).<\/p>\n
They said that as a champion of universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule-based international order, the EU must raise its voice against the violations of human rights affecting the people of IIOJK.<\/p>\n
In the letter the European parliamentarians said that they believe that the EU should use all its leverage and tools to cooperate with its Indian and Pakistani partners to honour the pledge made to the Kashmiris by the international community and create an environment conducive to the implementation of the United Nations resolutions.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers expressed the resolve to continue their engagements with Pakistani and Indian lawmakers as well as Kashmiri leaders \u201cto impress upon them the urgent need to foster a climate of peace and dialogue in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
The letter maintained that it was \u201cextremely important\u201d for Kashmiris to be heard and granted the opportunity to decide their own future.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers called upon von der Leyen and Borrell to convey on the EU\u2019s behalf the \u201cgrave concern\u201d over the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in IIOJK to the Indian government, besides take urgent action to address the \u201calarming\u201d human rights situation in the region. The lawmakers also urged European Commission President and Vice President to contribute to peace and stability in the region by enhancing dialogue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri representatives through making use of EU\u2019s special relationships with both India and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
They expressed the hope that European Commission President and vice president will extend strong support for this cause.<\/p>\n
The letter pointed out that the \u201cmiseries of the people of Jammu and Kashmir\u201d had been amply documented in the Human Rights Watch\u2019s World Report 2021 and reports by the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers noted that IIOJK was already under a lockdown since India revoked its special status on August 5, 2019, and there were restrictions on the rights to movement, information, healthcare, education and free speech.<\/p>\n