Veto power hurdle to UN's K-resolutions: Syed Ali Shah Geelani

KE News:

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Wednesday said the United Nations’ “failure” to implement its own resolutions in Jammu and Kashmir was because of "five countries enjoying veto power" in the international body who, he said, viewed the right to self determination of the people in the context of the "majority being Muslims and other economic and political interests."

“These countries wielding veto power, because of their political and economic interests, affect the effective functioning of the UN.  For example, the former Soviet Union, an ally of India at that time, wielded its veto power to block resolutions on Kashmir in the UN. Also because Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim majority state, the right to self determination of its people is seen in that context,” he said, while citing the example of East Timor, which he said, had been given right to self determination “because of the majority being Christian.”

“Just within two years of its struggle for right to self determination East Timor was carved out as a separate entity out of colonial Indonesia. On the other hand since the majority in Jammu and Kashmir are Muslims, these veto- wielding countries like Russia, China, America, France, and Britain because of their biased opinion against Muslims look at Jammu and Kashmir's right to self determination through that prism,” he said during a seminar “United Nations Resolutions and sacrifices of oppressed nations,” organized by the amalgam today at its Hyderpora headquarters.

Geelani said a “new system” which would not differentiate nations and individuals on the basis of their religion, colour or race was required to uphold the principles of justice while demanding that “the veto power to selected countries be scrapped for making the UN able to render effective justice to weak and oppressed nations of the world.” He also rejected a solution of Kashmir dispute on the basis of division on regional or religous lines.

“We are not the only oppressed people. Look at what is happening in India, Afghanistan, Iraq where the people are being oppressed by those who wield power. Therefore, this black law of might is right is the basis of oppression.”

Geelani  said India had no right to UNSC permanent seat as, according to him, it had been involved in breaking international commitments and committing grave human rights violations in Kashmir.

He urged the international community, especially OIC, to  play a positive role for right to self determination of Kashmiris. “We also ask Pakistan to bring up a fresh resolution and seek support from OIC and other countries like China and Brazil, this way UN resolutions on Kashmir will be renewed,” he said.

He also demanded that the international body set up a “war crime tribunal in Kashmir to investigate the war crimes committed by Indian forces.”

Geelani also lashed out at the National Conference saying the party had subjected people to terror and oppression during its tenures right from 1947. “ Such was the terror and oppression from 1947-52 that would people would say that Dogra rulers  were better because every NC Halka President held the power of Hari Singh in his area,” he said.

Geelani alleged that government had perpetrated the worst kind of state terrorism by killing hundreds of people and injuring thousands. He said in 1987 Kashmiri youth were forced to pick up arms .“Again this year, the killing and oppression was meant to push Kashmiris to pick up the gun again. However, let it be clear to India that they cannot provoke us through brute atrocities.  We will continue our peaceful struggle and won’t even resort to provocative sloganeering,” he said.

Geelani said Kashmiris seeking Azadi were not separatists but pro-freedom people as Kashmir was not a part of India. “Our struggle is not for the annexation of any legal part of India but for the genuine demand of right to self determination of the Kashmiri people,” he added.

He said even P Chidambaram had admitted that Kashmir was an issue of broken promises.  Geelani also lashed out at the State police accusing it of using “state terrorism to suppress Kashmiris.” “They are assuring the government that they would ensure graveyard silence in Kashmir by killings, arrests, torture and other brutalities,” he said.