UK Kashmiri Diaspora demonstrate outside Marlborough House

London, March 9 (APP): Defying bitter cold, members of the UK Kashmiri Diaspora demonstrated outside the Marlborough House on the occasion of the Commonwealth Day to highlight the human rights abuse in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and the continued incarceration of Hurriyat leaders.

The Monday’s evening demonstration was organised by Democratic Freedom Party UK Zone, Justice Foundation Kashmir Centre and the All Parties Kashmir Co-ordination Committee.

The participants carried pictures of ailing senior Kashmiri leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah and banners with slogans calling for peace in Kashmir, asking the Commonwealth to help eliminate the suffering of Kashmiris, highlighting the human rights situation, release of senior Kashmiri leaders including President, Democratic Freedom Party, Shabbir Shah.

In a memorandum to the British Queen who is also the head of the Commonwealth, the UK Kashmiris asked for empowerment of Kashmir’s as the basic party to the dispute in any future dialogue.

It also said that youth of Kashmir are getting more and more frustrated as they do not foresee a result oriented engagement and way forward.

On the occasion prominent British political figures visited the demonstrators.

Talking to media renowned British parliamentarian and anti war coalition leader George Galloway referred to human rights situation in Kashmir and showed solidarity with Kashmir and Shabbir  Shah. Paying tributes to Shah he said that “Shabbir is an asset for the peace loving people of the world. Had Shah been born in the west he would have received Nobel Peace prize.”

Kashmir Centre Executive Director, Nazir Ahmad Shawl said in any composite dialogue on Kashmir, authentic voice of Kashmir should be integrated.
Ershad Malik of Democratic Freedom Party complaint about double standards of International community and demanded immediate release of political prisoners of Kashmir especially Shabbir Shah who is detained illegally in Kathua jail in deteriorating conditions despite the High Court release orders.

Prospective Parliamentary candidate of Liberal Democrat Party Chaudhary Qurban said that world community should pay attention towards Kashmir dispute now. Noted Parliamentarian Lord Altaf Sheikh and his wife also participated in demonstration and showed concern about the health of Shabbir  Shah.