Brussels, (Unib Rashid) __ Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), Ali Raza Syed, has stated that unity and cohesion among Kashmiris are essential for the success of the freedom movement. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled “Journey to Freedom”, organized by the Kashmir Council Europe in the European capital Brussels, on the occasion of the martyrdom anniversaries of the brave son of the Kashmiri nation, Afzal Guru Shaheed, and the great revolutionary leader Maqbool Bhat Shaheed.

The seminar, held at the central secretariat of the Kashmir Council Europe, was attended by leaders of the Kashmiri and Pakistani communities residing in Europe, representatives of various political and social organizations, human rights activists, intellectuals, and journalists.

KCEU’s Chair, Ali Raza Syed, stated that Kashmiris can achieve the objectives of the freedom movement through unity and mutual understanding. He said that unification is a powerful tool that will strengthen the voice of Kashmiris, and this voice will certainly be heard across the world.

He further stated that the right to self-determination of Kashmiris is internationally recognized, and it is necessary at present to highlight this right more effectively at the global level.

Ali Raza Syed emphasized the need to intensify efforts for the release of Yasin Malik and other political leaders and activists and as well human rights activists, stating that Kashmiri leaders, including Yasin Malik, are enduring imprisonment under baseless charges, and international human rights organizations should raise their voices for release of these Kashmiris.

He said that the purpose of organizing this seminar on the martyrdom anniversaries of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat is to highlight the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people and to pay tribute to those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the right to self-determination. Participants paid tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir and stated that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

He paid special tribute to Afzal Guru Shaheed and Maqbool Bhat Shaheed and said that India has not yet handed over their remains to their families, which constitutes a clear violation of international principles of human rights and justice.

The speakers described Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat as guiding lights of the Kashmir freedom movement and said that these martyrs, like a candle, illuminated the path of freedom for the Kashmiri nation.

The seminar was moderated by Chaudhry Imran Saqib, President of the Pakistan Press Club Belgium. Among the speakers were former Member of the Brussels Parliament Dr. Manzoor Zahoor, Professor and researcher Imad Hanif, senior JKLF Europe Zone leader Zaheer Zahid, President of the World Kashmir Diaspora Alliance Europe Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Joshi, Kashmiri leader Zahid Iqbal, PPP Belgium leader Haji Waseem Akhtar, community leaders Saleem Memon, and Kenneth Roy.

The speakers appealed to the international community and global institutions, particularly the United Nations and the European Union, to exert pressure on India to hand over the mortal remains of Afzal Guru Shaheed and Maqbool Bhat Shaheed to their families. They stated that burial according to religious and cultural traditions is a recognized fundamental human right, which India continues to violate.

Participants of the seminar reaffirmed their commitment to continue raising the voice of the Kashmiri people at global forums, including in Europe, and pledged that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not be allowed to go in vain.

At the conclusion of the event, special prayers were offered for the elevation of the ranks of Afzal Guru, Maqbool Bhat, and other Kashmiri martyrs and for the freedom of the Kashmiri people, and for the establishment of peace and justice in the region.