European Parliament, US House committee to discuss Kashmir

Washington/Brussels: The US House Foreign Relations Committee and the European Parliament will discuss the Kashmir issue in their upcoming sessions, the media reported.

Chairman of the US House Subcommittee on Asia Brad Sherman announced on Friday that the subcommittee “will soon hold a hearing on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir which has been under a clampdown since August 5”, Geo News reported.

This comes amid tensions between the two neighbours over India’s revocation of special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has left no stone unturned in his attempt to make the world support Islamabad’s stand that India’s move on Kashmir was tantamount to “annexation”. But apart from close ally China, Islamabad has failed to garner any support. Pakistan has alleged large-scale human rights violations and violence in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of New Delhi’s move. The Indian government and the Kashmir administration, however, have stoutly denied Islamabad’s allegations.

“The hearing will focus on the humanitarian situation in Kashmir, where many political activists have been arrested and daily life, the Internet and telephone communications have been interrupted,” Sherman said. “Are people able to get food, medical care etc?” he asked.

“I had an opportunity to meet Americans from the Kashmir Valley just a week ago in the San Fernando Valley, along with my colleague Congressman Andre Carson, we heard stories of difficulties encountered by my constituents and others and the fears they have for their loved ones,” Sherman said, adding that he “looks forward to learning more about human rights in Kashmir”.

The European Parliament will also take on the Kashmir issue in its upcoming session on September 2, according to Geo News. The Parliament which will resume after a recess of six weeks has requested the European External Action Service (Foreign Ministry of European Union) to submit a full report consisting of “violation of human rights and international law”. “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan will be present at the European Parliament when it will discuss the issue, according to the report. (IANS)

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