WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Dan Burton a champion of Human Rights introduced yet another historic resolution in the US House of representatives. Calling upon the Government of and allow Kashmiris to decide their own future he introduced the Freedom in Kashmir Resolution. The resolution states that historically the people of Kashmir have been denied plebiscite which was promised to them in 1949, by the UN Commission for India and Pakistan, The people of the state had suffered through two wars and continuous unrest for more than 40 years, while being denied the right to self-determination, They were being oppressed by the Indian government by deadly use of force as well torture, rape, beatings and numerous violations of basic human rights. The Government of India had responded to the Kashmiri demand for freedom of isolating the state from the outside world and unleashing a reign of terror on its people. In a Jeter addressed to all Congressmen, seeking their support, Mr, Burton says “Kashmiris are being murdered in the Indian occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir. On Jan 6, over 52 innocent Kashmiris were killed by Indian para military forces in Sopore, Kashmir, and Doctors report over 300 persons treated for bullet and bum injuries.” In his revealing letter he states that the “Kashmiris are not the only people in India to suffer under brutal rule of the Indian government, what makes their story tragic is they never wanted to be a pan of India”
‘The freedom for Kashmir Resolution calls on the President, the UN and the international community to use all possible measures to establish the conditions needed for plebiscite in Kashmir to let the people themselves decide whether they wanted to remain in India, join Pakistan or become an independent nation. The Congressmen known for his strong stand on Human Rights says, “I believe the people of Kashmir must be given a voice in their own future. For this reason, introduced House Resolution 144, the Freedom in Kashmir Resolution. All Kashmiris want is an Opportunity to vote.”
Article extracted from this publication >> April 9, 1993
