Nikki Sinclaire MEP hosts a round table discussion about Kashmir

Yesterday I hosted a round table discussion with various figures from the Kashmir community as a part of Kashmir week.

A press conference ahead of Kashmir week

Ahead of Kashmir week in the Parliament this week, I spoke with journalists in the UK about why Kashmir week is happening and my involvement with this human rights issue. A selection of the questions I was asked are below:

Please tell the Asian World readers why you are helping the cause for occupied and Jummu Kashmir?

The reason why I am in politics is about self-determination. I’m actively campaigning for a Referendum for the British people to decide their future on whether they wish to stay in the European Union or not. But the cause of Jammu and Kashmir has been going on since 1948 when they were promised a referendum, and that’s why I feel there are parallels in what I’m in politics for in the first place and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Why do you think about the horrendous human right violations in the region and why it is not getting any air time in the media and little assistance from the international community?

I feel absolutely shocked at the level of violence in the area and the border killings. I feel the reason that it isn’t getting any media is probably the politics of convenience. It’s a fact that the major powers have a problem in confronting India due to India’s growing economic strength and everybody wishes to stay on friendly terms with India. I would say that if they are our best friends and India are among our best friends in the world, you are no better friend to someone than if you actually tell them the truth. If you can’t tell your friends the truth, they aren’t friends at all. It’s about time we actually confronted India and said there is a dispute in this area and for them to ignore it is wholly wrong. I think that’s why people are afraid on this issue and the example would be Barack Obama. When he first stood for the Presidency of the United States, he said this is one of the most important issues that needs attention, and yet when he was seeking re-election he just simply said that it was for India and Pakistan to sort out between themselves. I think he’s wholly wrong in that and it’s for the international community to take a strong stance on this.

 What advice would you give to desperate Kashmiris wanting to actively do something to help people in Jummu Kashmir?

These situations are obviously very difficult. What I would say to everyone is to raise awareness; especially in these days of the internet. You can lobby politicians; members of the European Parliament, Members of the UK Parliament, Senators and Congressmen. It is about utilising the message actively – use social media. We’ve had the example of the Arab Spring; which was set up by the use of social media. The overthrow of the regime in Egypt was because of social media. I advocate peaceful demonstration and it’s about keeping the message there, and not allowing the politics of convenience continue and making it awkward for the politicians who are making the decisions.

What else have you done in the plight for Jummu and Kashmir?

Obviously I feel very humble. I’m using the power that I have to raise the issue, there are half a million Kashmiri’s here in the United Kingdom that includes a significant amount here in the West Midlands, I feel it’s my duty to represent those interests in the European Parliament. This is why I’m hosting the Kashmir week next week (May 27^th – 30^th). I plan to visit Kashmir in January, again it’s the same message; it’s about highlighting. It’s about highlighting the situation and hopefully making it awkward and difficult for those people who are actually making the decisions.

Why is the British Government and Europe not doing more to help?

Once again it’s the politics of convenience. It’s because of the ever- growing economic might of India and we should be much stronger. There is no doubt we should be much stronger. Hopefully the events and what we are doing highlights to the people in power that we should be doing more.

What is the reason for hosting this summit in Brussels and what do you hope to achieve?

It’s once again all about the message. It’s the highlighting of issues. Its about standing up and having the courage to say what is going on here is wrong, this has gone on far too long and it’s about time the people of Jammu and Kashmir had the right of self-determination. Wherever you are in the world, if you live in a free country, how can any of us be free when there are other humans on this planet who are being oppressed from having self-determination? I’m hoping it’s going to achieve publicity. The fact that media outlets are contacting me will generate publicity for the cause and will hopefully encourage others to get involved on this issue.  

An evening with Sultan Mahoud Choudrey

I was invited Friday night to a wonderful event which was held in honour of Sultan Mahoud Choudrey, the former Prime Minister of Kashmir.

Sultan Mahoud Choudrey arrives at the venue

 I had previously met Sultan Mahoud Choudrey in 2010 and it was wonderful to see him again.

 I was honoured to be able to speak at the event about the work I am doing to highlight the human rights crisis that is Kashmir.

Speaking at the Milad conference, Aston Park, April 2013

Yesterday I spent a great morning at the Milad conference in Birmingham. Muslims from across the West Midlands came in their tens of thousands to celebrate the birth of the prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

 

I spoke at the conference about how we should live in harmony, and spoke about the human rights abuses which are ongoing in Kashmir. Next month I host the EU-Kashmir week in European Parliament and will take a group of local kashmiris with me.

 

Tens of thousands attended yesterdays event and I'd like to say thank you to everybody with their kind words about my speech. I shall post a video of my speech, plus wording, onto the blog shortly.

 

 

Marking Pakistan Republic Day

I was honoured to be invited to the Pakistan Welfare Association "Pakistan Republic Day" event on Thursday night.

 

I spoke at the event about my work in highlighting the human rights crisis that is Kashmir.

An excerpt from my speech:

"As an MEP, I stand up for those who are seeking a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. As a proponent of referenda, I also stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kashmir who have been promised a referendum which has never materialised.

On a recent trip to the US, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, I found myself standing on the very spot where Martin Luther King, in August 1963, delivered one of the most influential speeches of the last century.

I look forward to the day, and it is coming, when the Kashmiri people can echo Dr King's words "Free at last, free at last, free at last"."

The group put together a wonderful panel of impassioned speakers and we were treated to some beautiful poetry.

I will continue to highlight the plight of Kashmir, and would like to thank the Pakistan Welfare Association for inviting me on Thursday night.