3 February 2022
A seminar on “Human Rights Dimension of Jammu Kashmir Dispute” was held at the Pakistan High Commission in Pretoria on 3 February 2022, in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day, which is observed on 5th February annually.
Kashmir Solidarity Day or Kashmir Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan and also observed by Kashmiri nationalists on 5th February.
Solidarity Day is observed every year to show solidarity with the people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK) who are
struggling for their right to self determination enshrined in several UN Security Council Resolutions.
The programme held at the Pakistan High Commission in Pretoria was attended by a large number of participants from all walks
of life, politicians, professors, senior journalists, diplomats, civil society activists and representatives of Kashmiri diaspora.
Messages of solidarity by many dignitaries, who could not join the event in person,
were screened on the occasion. Participants expressed their unwavering support for the oppressed Kashmiri people in their just struggle for freedom from Indian occupation.
They highlighted the challenge that this
long outstanding dispute posed to peace in South Asia, and beyond.
During the seminar, the High Commission of Pakistan released a special documentary highlighting human rights violations being faced by the Kashmiri people in IIOJK.
The video highlighted the Jammu Massacre, discovery of several thousand unmarked graves and use of pellet guns by the Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris.
The Pakistan High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Dr Mazhar Javed urged the international community to play its role in fulfilling its commitment to the Kashmiri people, made
through UN resolutions assuring them of their right to self-determination.