Brussels: An exhibition of photographs from Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) was inaugurated at European Press Club in Brussels on Wednesday. Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Raja Farooq Haider Khan, who is participating in the week long program “Kashmir EU Week”, opened the exhibition organised by Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU).
The photographs of the famous French-Belg photographer Mr Cédric Gerbehaye have been displayed in the exhibition, which wold be continued at the press club during next two weeks.
The photographs tell how are the miseries of the people of the occupied valley and how they struggle for freedom in a brutal environment and a severe pressure by the Indian occupation forces.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider said, this exhibition will help in understanding the hardships of the people of occupied Kashmir. Kashmiris are suffering from Indian brutalities for last seven decades. Problem of Kashmir is on the agenda on United Nation (UN) for a long time but the issue has not been resolved so far according to the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He further said, by removing 35A India wants to make demographic change in occupied Kashmir but we shall not allow New Delhi to do it. He added, Indian forces at line of control (LoC) are also involved in the killing of innocent people of Azad Kashmir living near the LoC.
AJK’s PM hailed the recent UN’s human rights council report and a document of EU parliament’s research center regarding human rights violations in IHK. About Kashmir EU, he said, annual program of Kashmir EU Week promoted the Kashmir cause. All the Kashmir should unitedly support this cause. Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed and Chairman Kashmir Global Council Farooq Saddique also addressed the opening session of the exhibition moderated by intellectual and journalist Shiraz Raj.
Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed said, as photograph always gives an important message, these photos show to the world the severe psychological trauma among the people of Kashmir. There is no treatment for such pain; it is necessary to help to bring them out of the trauma, he said,
Mr Ali Raza Syed said, the photos will inspire the humanity and create a compassion in the world toward the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairman Kashmir Council EU said, as a photographer Mr Cédric Gerbehaye conveyed an emotive and painful story of the innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir through his pictures.
He said that unfortunately violence and human rights violations in India-held Kashmir are rapidly increasing. Lack of freedom of speech and restriction on peaceful protest has become and everyday matter in the occupied territory, Mr Ali Raza Syed pointed out.
Chairman Kashmir Global Council Mr Farooq Sadiqui said, we have pledged to continue our struggle till achievement of inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir.
“We will continue to make the international community aware of the atrocities in occupied Kashmir and the facts about the severe situation related to human rights in Kashmir. He added, “We want to uncover real and ruthless face of India.”
It is important to mention that Kashmir Council EU (KC-EU) launched the 11th annual week-long event of “Kashmir EU-Week” at European Parliament in Brussels on Monday.
