Kashmiris Protest outside UN Headquarters during Indian Foreign Minister’s Speech

The Kashmiri-American community staged a strong protest outside the United Nations headquarters against the speech by Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, calling on the international body to implement its resolutions on the Kashmir dispute.  The protest was held outside UN Plaza on Saturday, September 26, and was organized by the World Kashmir Awareness Forum along with Kashmiri-American communities from the New York and Washington metropolitan areas. A large number of people, including leaders of the Kashmiri and Pakistani communities, women, children, and elderly citizens, participated in the demonstration.

Protesting under the banner of “A Call to the United Nations,” the demonstrators reminded the UN of its commitments and resolutions concerning the people of Kashmir. Participants held placards calling for the right to self-determination for Kashmiris and the restoration of their human rights. The protesters also expressed strong concerns over the Indian Foreign Minister being given an opportunity to address the UN platform. In a joint statement, Kashmiri leaders said the United Nations should uphold justice and principles in dealing with human rights issues, including the Kashmir dispute. The speakers called on the United Nations to recognize the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, take international notice of alleged human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, and take effective measures to implement UN resolutions concerning Kashmir. At the conclusion of the protest, a memorandum was also submitted to UN officials, urging the international body to play an immediate diplomatic role in seeking a peaceful and just resolution to the Kashmir dispute.