§ Mr. Max Madden (Bradford, West)On Human Rights Day, I am proud to present a petition signed by 2,600 Bradford citizens of Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri origin, including Councillor Amin Qureshi of Bradford.
The petitioners remind the House that the United Nations Security Council passed resolutions declaring that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir would be made in accordance with the will of the people, expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. Whereas both Lord Mountbatten and Mr. Nehru solemnly promised that a referendum would be held, and whereas the Indian security forces now occupying Kashmir have perpetrated gross and persistent violations of the human rights of the people of Kashmir, the petitioners pray that
your honourable House will condemn the systematic mass murders, torture, arson and rape by the Indian forces of occupation in Kashmir; promote international efforts to help refugees fleeing Kashmir and to relieve the hardship and suffering of the people who remain in the territory; demand that India permit Amnesty International and other international human rights agencies to enter Kashmir, with a view to investigating and reporting human rights violations; and calls for the withdrawal of India's armed forces and security forces from the State of Jammu and Kashmir and their replacement by an interim United Nations Administration with the task of restoring law and order, and as soon a practicable, conducting the said plebiscite.I am extremely proud to present this petition.
§ To lie upon the Table.