The Petition of residents of the UK,
Declares that the Petitioners believe that the ongoing Kashmir dispute is a threat to regional and global peace; further that the dispute is causing insecurity, instability and human rights violations; and further that the State of Jammu and Kashmir should be given the right to self-determination.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons debate this matter on the floor of the House and further requests that the House urges the Government to facilitate a negotiated settlement.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Fiona Mactaggart, Official Report, 12 December 2013; Vol. 572, c. 446.]
[P001312]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:
I recognise the importance of finding a lasting solution to the difficult situation in Kashmir. However, it is not for the UK to prescribe a solution—this is a matter for India and Pakistan to resolve, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. This is the long-standing position of the UK Government.
I also recognise that there are human rights concerns in both Indian and Pakistan administered Kashmir. We monitor developments in Kashmir closely including the political, security and human rights situation and recent incidents on the Line of Control.
Officials from our High Commissions in both New Delhi and Islamabad regularly travel to the region and raise concerns about the human rights situation with both Governments. The UK has consistently called for an end to all external support for violence in Kashmir. UK funding supports human rights and conflict prevention programmes on both sides of the Line of Control in order to help build constituencies for peace.
I welcome the fact that the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met in New York last September and the commitment they made to maintain a ceasefire on the Line of Control. This has been followed up by a meeting of senior military commanders from both Pakistan and Indian Administered Kashmir, which has helped to restore calm and is an important step towards maintaining regional security. The Commerce Ministers from India and Pakistan also met in Delhi recently. This is encouraging, as greater economic ties will increase contacts between ordinary citizens and help other confidence building measures.
The right hon. Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, debated the issue of Kashmir in the House of Lords in early 2013, so I do not intend to call a debate in the House on this issue. The full record of the House of Lords debate can be found at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/130123-0002.htm#13012364000064.