Motion on Kashmir Solidarity – AGM 20th Nov 2019
Cambridge UCU condemns the Indian government’s recent actions with respect to Jammu and Kashmir. These actions have included: the decisions to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under the Indian constitution, and to divide it into two Union Territories with resultant significant loss of autonomy; and the (ongoing) imposition of restrictions that are preventing people in Kashmir from communicating with the outside world.
These actions are on top of a longer history of militarization of the Kashmir valley, with a recent deployment of 180,000 paramilitary troops supplementing the 700,000 troops which were already present in the region; the reckless use of violent measures, including pellet guns against Kashmiri people; curfew periods that have prevented children from accessing education, and many people from accessing proper medical care; unlawful detention of youth and children; and other human rights violations that include denial of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination under international law.
Cambridge UCU also notes with concern that while the Indian government has suppressed communications by Kashmiri people, hindered local reportage and journalism, kept elected Kashmiri politicians under detention, and denied Indian political opposition – including Indian Members of Parliament — from visiting Kashmir; it enabled a visit to Kashmir by European politicians representing far-right parties.
Cambridge UCU resolves to lobby local MPs and representatives of the UK and EU governments to:
- Recognise the ongoing humanitarian crisis and rights abuses in Kashmir
- Press for fulfilment of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination under international law
- Press for the release of Kashmiri people from unlawful detention and for the freedoms of speech, communication, and education to be restored in Kashmir
- Act to compel British companies to cease trading in arms and arms components that could be used against the civilian population under occupation in Kashmir
- Insist that humanitarian aid organizations and international observers must seek to and be allowed to enter the region