He also called on the international community to take practical steps for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, according to a statement that ANTARA received in Jakarta on Saturday.
He made the remarks during a webinar on Kashmir organized by the Embassy of Pakistan to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day on Friday. The webinar was organized in collaboration with reputed universities and organizations from various parts of Indonesia.
Ambassador Hassan further said the Kashmiris are being subjected to "inhumane tactics and draconian laws by the Indian security forces, which are intended to implement demographic apartheid in Jammu and Kashmir".
“The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest items on the agenda of the UN Security Council, which has remained unresolved due to India's obstinate refusal to honor its commitment and provide the fundamental right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir,” he said.
Speaking at the webinar, Prof. Dr. Nur Munir, head of the Islamic and Middle Eastern Research Centre, University of Indonesia, highlighted the importance of justice from the perspective of different religious teachings.
He said that Indonesia’s foreign policy is based on the principles of rule-based international order and social justice. Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the universal tenets of freedom, justice, and peace in the world, he said that Indonesians are bound by their Constitution to assist Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination.
Speaking about the principle of self-determination, Prof. Yusni Saby, a leading Indonesian scholar, cited the example of East Timor and argued that Kashmiris should be given the same opportunity to express their will. He then asked the international community to facilitate the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
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Dr. Nirwan Syafrin from the University of Bogor said that an early and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue is in the interest of not only South Asia but also all countries of the world.
Islam stresses the sanctity of lives regardless of their religion, he observed. Hence Kashmiris should be lent our full support to live as human beings peacefully, he added.
Dr. Ari Darmastuti from Lampung University highlighted that women have suffered the most and spoke about how the rape of women and young girls has been used as a "weapon" and a "tool of retaliation" by the Indian security forces since 1988.
Other speakers also discussed the issue of human rights abuses, the role of the UN and other big powers, and the need for Muslim Umma to play a role in resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
The webinar was attended by around 200 academics, scholars, intellectuals, researchers, members of political and religious organizations, and students.
Related news: End human rights violations in Kashmir: FORUM-ASIA
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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