MANCHESTER (UK), Sep 6: Members of the Kashmiri diaspora in Britain staged a demonstration in Manchester after learning that Federal Minister Fazal Chaudhry was expected to attend an event at a local community centre, members of the protesting community said.
The protesters sought to draw attention to what they described as serious human rights and civil liberties concerns in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Carrying placards and raising slogans, the demonstrators alleged restrictions on freedoms, arbitrary arrests, security operations and the use of force against civilians in the region.
They called for greater accountability over alleged violations involving Kashmiri men, women and children and demanded independent and impartial investigations into reported incidents of killings, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and other alleged abuses.
The protesters said their campaign was aimed at policies and actions they believe have adversely affected the people of PoJK and was not directed against the Pakistani population. They also stressed that the demonstration was intended as a peaceful expression of political and human rights concerns.
Members of the diaspora alleged that continuing security measures in the region had contributed to fear and hardship among civilians. They cited reported arrests, raids, restrictions on movement and communication, and alleged intimidation as matters requiring greater scrutiny.
The protesters appealed to the British Government, international human rights organisations and the wider international community to pay closer attention to developments in the region.
They also urged international bodies to support credible investigations into allegations of rights violations and seek accountability wherever wrongdoing is established.
Organisers described the Manchester demonstration as part of a broader campaign by Kashmiri communities across the UK to raise awareness about their concerns through peaceful and democratic means.
The demonstrators reaffirmed their commitment to British laws and democratic principles, saying that future protests would also remain peaceful and lawful.
