Brussels, (Unib Rashid) – 27 October is a Black Day, and the Kashmiri people will never compromise on their right to self-determination. India must end its illegal occupation of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and allow the Kashmiri people to decide their future freely.

Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU), Ali Raza Syed, expressed these views on the occasion of Black Day, observed on 27 October. He said that 27 October 1947 is one of the darkest days in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, when India landed its troops in Srinagar against the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, beginning its military occupation of a large part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmiri people consider this action a violation of their fundamental rights, freedom and right to self-determination, and have therefore continued their struggle against the illegal occupation for several decades.

The KC-EU chairman said that Kashmiris, whether living in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, residing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, or settled in any other part of the world, observe 27 October every year as Black Day to register their protest and draw the attention of the international community to the longstanding Kashmir dispute and the suffering of the Kashmiri people.

Ali Raza Syed said that the purpose of the protest on 27 October is to send a clear message to the Indian government that the Kashmiri people do not accept India’s occupation of their motherland. The Kashmiri nation wants to decide its future in a free environment, without pressure, coercion or fear. The right to self-determination is a fundamental right of the Kashmiri people, and their struggle to achieve this right will continue.

The Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe said that it was deeply regrettable that India claims to be the world’s largest democracy while depriving the Kashmiri people of their political, human and fundamental rights. Serious human rights violations, arrests, detention, torture and an atmosphere of fear continue in Indian-illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The international community must take serious notice of these circumstances and play an effective role in protecting the rights of the Kashmiri people.

Ali Raza Syed said that the Kashmir dispute is not merely a regional conflict but it is internationally recognized issue and is closely linked to peace, stability and prosperity throughout South Asia. Lasting peace in the region will remain difficult to achieve until the Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and their right to self-determination. Peace in Kashmir can pave the way for peace and prosperity throughout the region of South Asia.

The Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe appealed to the international community, particularly the United Nations and the European Union, to support the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and play their role in securing a just, peaceful and lasting resolution of this longstanding dispute.

Ali Raza Syed made it clear that the Kashmiri nation would never compromise on its right to self-determination and would continue its legitimate struggle until the people of Kashmir are granted the right to decide their own political future.