UN urged to place peoples right to self-determination on the agenda

New York: UN Legal Representative for Resource Centre for Palestine Residency and Refugee Rights, Rania Madishared has expressed her grave concern over the plight of people living in disputed territories seeking fundamental right to self-determination.
Reminding the participants of a resolution adopted in the March 2018 session in favour of recognizing the Palestinians right to self-determination, She said that despite this resolution Israel continues to confiscate Palestinian land, demolish Palestinian homes and build further Israeli settlements.
She narrated the ordeal of three-year old children having their bags searched and explained how more than 100 checkpoints separate people from their homes, schools and farm lands. She suggested formation of a collective forum of NGOs who are fighting for the recognition of their right to self-determination and learn from one another’s experiences to advance their respective causes. She concluded by remarking that the United Nations has become more politicized, thus becoming an obstacle itself to recognizing the peoples right to self-determination.
Chairman South Asia Centre for Peace and Human Rights (SACFPHR), Professor Nazir Ahmed Shawl reflected that the topic of discussion is dear to all those people who try to find a solution to conflicts, and provide dignity and relief so that they may live their lives peacefully.
He added that the Kashmir issue based on the United Nations resolutions needs to be addressed in accordance with the will of the people of Kashmir and appreciated the recent UN High Commissioners report pointing out that the right to self determination cannot be taken away as it has been protected by international law.
Barrister Stuart Stevens of Holborn Chambers observed that the world is no longer governed by justice but by domination of economic interests, creating victims out of anyone who want self-determination and to change this phenomena, political will of all stakeholder must exist. He added that the western press tends to ignore or are selective about the news that is reported about various causes, thus pushing audiences to find alternative outlets of information.
Chairman Kashmir Youth Assembly Zubair Awan talked from a youth perspective in context of the obstacles to self-determination in Kashmir. He commented that collective responsibility by the world community can ensure the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
The special guest at the event was a noted lawyer and human rights activist Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat who represents the parents of eight-year-old Asifa Bano (who was ganged raped and brutally murdered). Advocate Deepika Rajawat stressed on the importance of raising a unified voice for the oppressed even in the face of opposition from ones own community as she has faced due to her involvement in the Asifa Bano case. She declared that human rights work goes beyond race, religion and gender.
The 39th UNHRC parallel event was attended by diplomats, civil society, intergovernmental and non governmental organizations.