The Petition of residents of the UK,
Declares that the Petitioners believe that Kashmiris suffer daily human rights abuses; further that the Petitioners believe that more needs to be done for Jammu and Kashmir to progress the right of self-determination for all Kashmiris; and further that a local Petition in Chesham on this matter has received over 228 signatures.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons hold a debate on the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Official Report, 10 September 2014; Vol. 585, c. 13P .]
[P001388]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, received 8 October 2014:
First, I would like to extend, on behalf of the British Government, my deepest sympathies to all those who have been affected by the extensive flooding in India Administered Kashmir (IAK), Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) and elsewhere in the region. The British Government continue to monitor the humanitarian situation in the aftermath of the floods. We have not, to date, received a request from either Government for assistance, but are in close contact with relevant partners in both countries, and stand ready to help.
I understand the strength of feeling about the situation in Kashmir among those who have signed the petition. The parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), in a Westminster Hall debate on Kashmir on 11 September, reiterated the long-standing position of the UK, which is:
“that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account… the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.”
We continue to follow developments in the region and officials from our High Commissions in both New Delhi and Islamabad discuss the situation in Kashmir with both Governments and travel to the region periodically to witness the situation on the ground, in line with our travel advice. We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both IAK and PAK. Any allegations of human rights abuses should be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently.
During the Westminster Hall debate the FCO parliamentary Under-Secretary of State said that the British Government
“recognise the importance of a strong relationship between India and Pakistan not only for its own sake, but for regional stability. We encourage both sides to maintain dialogue, the pace and scope of that dialogue is for the two countries to determine.”
The full record of the Westminster Hall debate on Kashmir on 11 September can be found at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140911/halltext/140911h0001.htm# 14091137000001