On February 4, the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels hosted a high-level seminar to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to highlighting the ongoing struggle of the Kashmiri people for their fundamental rights.

A Geopolitical Flashpoint

The seminar addressed the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, a complex territorial conflict with roots tracing back to the 1947 Partition of the Indian subcontinent. While the region remains a point of contention between Pakistan and India, the involvement of China in the Aksai Chin area further complicates the geopolitical landscape. Today, the territory stands as one of the most militarized zones in the world, with a heavy security presence that deeply impacts the daily lives of its inhabitants.

Core Objectives: Self-Determination and Law

Key speakers at the event underscored the necessity of a resolution based on the right of self-determination, a principle enshrined in the UN Charter. They called for the implementation of long-standing United Nations Security Council resolutions, which advocate for a free and impartial plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to decide their own political future.

Human Rights and International Responsibility

A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Citing reports from prominent organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, the participants denounced:

Systemic human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and the suppression of local media.
Legislative changes that many argue are intended to alter the demographic composition of the region.
The international community's silence, urging the European Union and its institutions to take a more proactive stance in monitoring the situation.

The seminar concluded with a powerful call for global empathy and diplomatic intervention, emphasizing that lasting peace in South Asia is impossible without a just and durable solution to the Kashmir issue.