Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Advisor, Consultant, Researcher at Global South Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Center, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

Every year, January 5 serves as a solemn reminder of the unfulfilled promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir: the right to self-determination. On this day in 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) passed a resolution guaranteeing the people of Kashmir a free and fair plebiscite to decide their future. Yet, over seven decades later, this promise remains unfulfilled, with the Kashmiri people enduring unimaginable suffering under India's illegal occupation.

The Historical Context

The Kashmir dispute traces back to the partition of British India in 1947, when princely states were given the option to join India or Pakistan based on their geographical proximity and the wishes of their people. Despite a Muslim-majority population, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, acceded to India under dubious circumstances. This led to the first India-Pakistan war, after which the matter was referred to the United Nations.

The UNCIP resolution of January 5, 1949, reaffirmed the Kashmiri people's right to determine their future through a plebiscite. However, India has consistently reneged on its commitments, employing delaying tactics and military aggression to tighten its grip on the region.

India’s Systematic Oppression

India's occupation of Kashmir is marked by unprecedented brutality, making it one of the darkest chapters in modern history. From mass killings and enforced disappearances to sexual violence and the use of pellet guns against civilians, India's actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have been condemned globally.

Since August 5, 2019, India has escalated its oppression by revoking Article 370 of its constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. This unilateral move aims to alter the region’s demographic and political fabric by encouraging the settlement of non-Kashmiris, thereby reducing the indigenous population to a disempowered minority.

Despite deploying hundreds of thousands of troops—making IIOJK the most militarized zone in the world—India has failed to suppress the Kashmiri spirit. The people of Kashmir remain steadfast in their quest for freedom, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of systemic brutality.

Pakistan’s Commitment to Kashmir

Pakistan has consistently championed the Kashmiri cause, offering unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support. As President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on this year’s Right to Self-Determination Day, Pakistan remains resolute in its commitment to advocating for Kashmir on all international forums.

Pakistan views the Kashmir dispute not only as a territorial issue but as a question of fundamental human rights. The United Nations, international human rights organizations, and global powers have a moral and legal obligation to intervene and compel India to adhere to international law.

A Case for Self-Determination

The right to self-determination is enshrined in the United Nations Charter and numerous international human rights treaties. Denying this right to the people of Kashmir undermines the very principles upon which the global order is built.

India must recognize that its policy of oppression has failed. Decades of military aggression, demographic engineering, and economic exploitation have not broken the will of the Kashmiri people. If anything, these actions have strengthened their resolve.

It is time for India to acknowledge that the path to peace in South Asia lies in justice for Kashmir. Granting the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination, as promised under international law, is not only a moral imperative but also the only viable solution to this longstanding conflict.

A Call to the International Community

The global community must rise above political expediency and act decisively to resolve the Kashmir dispute. The United Nations, in particular, bears a historic responsibility to implement its resolutions and uphold the principles of justice and human rights.

Failure to act will only embolden India’s oppressive regime, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability that extends far beyond the borders of Kashmir. On this Right to Self-Determination Day, let the world remember that the Kashmiri struggle is not just a fight for territory—it is a fight for dignity, freedom, and the fundamental right to decide one’s own destiny.

Conclusion

The time has come for a paradigm shift in addressing the Kashmir dispute. The international community must hold India accountable for its actions and compel it to honor its commitments. The Kashmiri people have endured over seven decades of suffering, yet their spirit remains unbroken.

India must learn from history: the Kashmiri people cannot be silenced, nor can their aspirations be crushed. Recognizing their right to self-determination is not just a legal obligation but a pathway to lasting peace. The sooner this is realized, the better it will be for the region and the world.

原文链接：APD | Right to Self-Determination Day: A Call for Justice in Kashmir.-APDNEWS