Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front

Friday, 13 June 2014

JKLF welcomed the new international protocol for investigating sexual violence in conflict zones.

London (13 June 2014)

JKLF President in Britain Prof. Azmat Khan has welcomed the new international protocol with international standards for documenting and investigating sexual violence in conflict zones. In a statement issued from London, JKLF President hoped that practical steps will be taken to reduce the dangers women face in conflict zones around the world and that Indian armed forces will no longer enjoy impunity against such heinous crimes. The UN backed initiative urges countries to strengthen domestic laws so that those responsible for these terrible crimes in conflict areas such as Kashmir are brought to justice and that crimes of sexual violence are excluded from amnesty provisions.

JKLF officials visited this first ever “Global Summit to end sexual Violence in Conflict” held in London. The summit was being conducted by world renowned actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie and co-hosted by British Foreign Secretary William Hague. The summit has been attended by high profile delegates / Government representatives of over 100 countries.

JKLF delegates spoke to different media personnel at the event and highlighted the plight of Kashmiri women who have been subject to violence from last over 2 decades in the hands of Indian Government forces.

Delegation handed out specially prepared handouts on the rape and atrocities committed by Indian occupational forces. The delegation also gave briefing to several international TV / Media channels on the subject and stressed that the people of the world must speak out against sexual violence in Kashmir too.

JKLF delegation also met dozens of NGO’s and briefed them. Many of the visitors were horrified and shocked and were unaware of these atrocities taking place in Kashmir.

JKLF delegation including Senior Vice President of JKLF in Britain Mahmood Hussain, Mahmood Faiz, Javaid Rashid and Tariq Sharif.

Press Secretary,

JKLF UK

______________________________________

Rape of Women by Indian Government Forces in Kashmir

We are in total support of the initiative taken by Ms Angelina Jolie (UN Special envoy) and supported by Her Majesty's Government to stop rape and violence perpetrated through out the world against women.

Women of Kashmir since decades have also suffered immensely as a result of organized violence and rape perpetrated by the Indian military.

We are dismayed at the total disregard in your campaign of their suffering both as victims of rape well as mothers, wives and relatives of the thousands of innocent men who've been killed and hundreds of those who were arrested and have disappeared without trace.

Reports of rape by Indian security forces in Kashmir emerged soon after the government's crackdown began in January 1990.18 Despite evidence that army and paramilitary forces were engaging in widespread rape, few of the incidents were ever investigated by the authorities. Those that were reported did not result in criminal prosecutions of the security forces involved.

Jammu Kashmir - Kashmir for short- is the most heavily militarized region of the world.

In Indian occupied part of Kashmir alone an estimated presence of 700,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces operate; often committing and perpetrating inhuman acts of violence against the most vulnerable in society.

Indian army whose actions are protected under the Special Powers Act- SPA and TADA , over past twenty six years in particular has resorted to rape as a weapon of war. One such incident which shocked the Human rights agencies is the mass rape of women took place on 23^rd February 1991 in the village of Kunan Poshpura remains a blot on the character of the conduct of Indian military in Kashmir.

We urge you therefore to raise your voice against the rape of women in Kashmir too

References:

· Amnesty International,

India

: Torture, Rape and Deaths in Custody, (London: March, 1992), p. 21.

· Asia Watch, Kashmir Under Siege, p. 87.

· 25 See Amnesty International, "

India

: New Allegations of Rape by Army Personnel in Jammu and Kashmir," AI Index: ASA 20/02/93, January 1993.

For Further Details, Please Contact:

Prof. Azmat Khan à President@JKLF.co.uk à +44 0791 265 3054

Prof. Zafar Khan à zafarGK@aol.com à +44 0794 472 2901

Mahmood Hussain à mhussain3@Gmail.com à +44 0795 6400 834

J K L F at 03:57:00 No comments: Read More

Thursday, 22 May 2014

Press Release

JKLF central convention to be held on 14th June 2014

JKLFcentral convention to be held on 14th June 2014...members across the globe to participate in party elections. Mohammed Yasin Malik

SRINAGAR// (20 MAY) ChairmanJKLF Mohammed Yasin Malik after consultations with supreme head Jenab Amanullah Khan, Zonal presidents and central leaders has announced that JKLF central convention will be held on 14th June 14 under the supervision of 5 member election commission. Election commission for the purpose will be constituted with 2 members each from Indian held Kashmir and Azad Kashmir and one member from abroad. The convention will be held through video link simultaneously in India held Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan,Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Middle East.61 members of JKLF supreme council from all these places will participate in the convention and participate in party elections. The people who want to contest for various party posts will file their papers for which 10 June 2014 will be the last date said chairman. Before this convention an inaugural program of the newly elected supreme council will also be held on Thursday 29th May 2014 on foundation day of JKLF .Chairman, supreme head and other leaders will address the program on a video link.

J K L F at 02:09:00 No comments: Read More

Saturday, 10 May 2014

News Press Release

JKLF in UK seeks support to set up a "Government in Exile"

The president JKLF, UK ZONE, Azmat A Khan on the commemoration of Maqbool Butt Day, at Nottingham.

He said the puppet assemblies of both sides of kashmir has gone failed to represent the kashmir issue both at national and international front, furthermore, he added that these assemblies are working for the sake of their own political gains and have got no interest with kashmir issue and the people of kashmir.

So therefore, he had appealed to kashmiri diaspora in Uk, to help and support JKLF mission in a way that JKLF could set up a "Government in Exile"; which could represent kashmir Issue with its true sense & sensibility.

Israr A khan

J K L F at 05:29:00 1 comment: Read More

Monday, 3 March 2014

News

Glowing Tribute Paid to Late Zafar Sharif on his 4th Anniversary

Luton-

England

: 03 March 2014-

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has paid glowing tributes to its late leader Zafar Iqbal Sharif. In this regard, a condolence meeting to pay respects to the memory of JKLF leader Zafar Sharif was held in Luton,

England

Speakers lauded the role of Late Zafar Sharif and said that his death in February 2010 has also left a huge vacuum in JKLF ranks and also charitable work that he had co-ordinated since the devastation of the October 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. The speakers concluded that the most appropriate tribute to Zafar Sharif memory and his legacy would that the leadership and party workers alike follow and adopt his example of self less devotion and duty to the cause of freedom and justice for over 15 million people of divided Jammu Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion Head of JKLF’s Diplomatic Committee Professor Zafar Khan said that Zafar Sharif was a dedicated and committed member of the JKLF who loyally served the party since he joined it in 1986. He was a party man and worked immensely for the consensus within Kashmiri people. Zafar Khan praised his selfless devotion to the cause of freedom and said that his interaction with others was always determined by his sense of duty and service for the national cause.

Malik Latif Khan, with whom late Zafar Sharif worked closely for over twenty two years, said he is being greatly missed by the organisation and his colleagues, and termed his demise as a great loss and a blow to the JKLF and the freedom struggle. Malik Latif called him an excellent human being, dedicated political worker, a person of great character, philanthropic and one who possessed strong belief in Allah and immense love for the Holly Prophet of Islam –Muhammad-PBUH.

Tariq Sharif, brother of Late Zafar Sharif while speaking on this occasion, thanked the Luton branch of JKLF for organising the tribute meeting. He said that the ultimate tribute to him would be to carry forward his mission and work tirelessly for the cause which was so close to his heart. Usman Sharif, elder son of Late Zafar Sharif also spoke on this occasion.

Other Senior JKLF leaders who spoke and paid rich tributes to late Zafar Sharif’s contribution to the freedom struggle included Sabir Gul, Yousaf Chaudry, Ejaz Malik, Kaman Afsar, Professor Liaqat Khan, Chaudhry Liaqat Ali, Kaman Afsar, Malik Shafi, Bashir Bazam, Master Mohammad Saleem, Sanawar Hussain & Others.

J K L F at 05:41:00 No comments: Read More

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

News Press Release

30th Anniversary of Maqbool Butt: Protest in London (11 February 2014) Press Release

(London - 12th February 2014): JKLF UK & Europe Zone organized a protest rally in front of Indian High commission in London on 11 February 2014 to mark the 30^th Martyrdom Anniversary of Maqbool Butt Shaheed. Protesters shouted slogans of “Stop Killings in Kashmir”, “Handover remains of Maqbool Butt & Afzal Guru” and in favour of complete independence of Jammu Kashmir. Graham Williamson of Nations Without States also joined the protesters.

A petition signed by over 50 British Parliamentarians was also presented to the officials of the high commission on this occasion. The petition asked the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to handover the mortal remain of Maqbool Butt Shaheed to his relatives for proper burial.

Press Secretary,

JKLF

Zone

Email: info@jklf.co.uk

Web: www.jklf.co.uk / www.JKLF.ORG

JKLF

Zone

Maqbool Butt: Background Information

Maqbool Butt, Kashmir’s most revered leader of the impendence movement and a former ‘prisoner of conscience’, was imprisoned in Pakistan for his radical views and was labelled as an ‘enemy agent’ there, but ironically hanged by India on 11 February, 1984, exactly one week before his 46th birthday. He was executed inside Delhi’s Tihar Jail where he had been imprisoned for 8 years awaiting trial of a politically motivated case against him.

According to Amnesty International Annual Report (1978), who campaigned for his release from prison for many years, he had been sentenced to death for a murder charge under section 3 of the ‘Enemy Agents Ordinance’. In its annual report in 1982, Amnesty International highlighted this case again and stated that “members of political parties have been sentenced to death following conviction for murder”. The death penalty imposed on Maqbool Butt by a Srinagar High Court judge some 14 years earlier in absentia was a cause for concern to AI as there was no apparent appeal for such a sentence under that law. In its 2008 report entitled, ‘Lethal Lottery; Death Penalty in

India

’, Amnesty International highlighted the missing record of his appeals in the Indian supreme court and expressed concerns that “no court judgements in his case are available”.

The Maqbool Butt story did not end in 1984 with his hanging. Indian authorities refused to hand over his body to his relatives and buried him inside Tihar jail. A petition in high court seeking permission to remove his remains to his birthplace in Tregham, district Kapwara (J&K) was refused by

India

According to ITN news reports thousands of Kashmiris took to the streets of London to protest against Maqbool Butt’s hanging in

India

in 1984. For the past 28 years JKLF members in

have regularly petitioned Indian government through its mission in London to demand the return of his remains. Maqbool Butt’s two brothers, Ghulam Nabi Butt and Manzoor Butt were also killed in Kashmir in the 1990s but his 3 surviving children still live in

Pakistan

or in Azad Kashmir. With the outbreak of armed movement in J&K in 1988, Maqbool Butt’s grave in Tihar jail became the most revered tomb for Kashmiri prisoners until it was reportedly desecrated by prison authorities a few years ago. For the last 28 years, his death anniversary on 11th February, is commemorated every year on both sides of Kashmir when Kashmiri men, women and children take out protest rallies in every town and city demanding that his body should be handed over to his family for Islamic burial in Kashmir.

Email: info@jklf.co.uk

www.jklf.co.uk / www.JKLF.ORG

J K L F at 02:47:00 No comments: Read More

News Press Release

Maqbool day observed across the globe today

11^th February…… Maqbool day

Martyr Mohammad Maqbool Butt is our national hero whosestruggle and sacrifices will be written in golden words. ….M Yasin Malik

Maqbool day observed across the globe today …. Protests sit inoutside United Nations office Islamabad and Indian high commission London held.Rally held at Trehgam. Many arrested from Maisuma during a protest rally….

Srinagar// 11-Feb-2014)) Father of Kashmiri nation MartyrMohammad Maqbool Butt is our national hero whose struggle and sacrifices willbe written in golden words. Maqbool’s passion, zeal, struggle and sacrifice forthe freedom of Jammu Kashmir is unparallel. This was stated by the chairmanJKLF Muhammad Yasin Malik in his message on the day of martyrdom (Youm IMaqbool) of legend Muhammad Maqbool Bhat.

Yasinsahib who is in police custody from 9^th February 2014 said thattoday the great leader martyr is being remembered across the cease fire line inJammu Kashmir, in all major cities of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, UK, andEurope and the rest of the world. Todaywe all Kashmiri’s thinking and acting above their political, religion, cast, creed,regional l and linguistic considerations are recalling the legend of this greatsoul who laid down his life for the freedom of our land and has become aninspiration for all of us. Yasin sahib congratulated the nation of JammuKashmir for this unified approach and oneness.

MeanwhileFahter of Kashmiri nation martyr Muhammad Maqbool butt was remembered acrossthe globe on his martyrdom anniversary today. Programs were held in USA, UK, UAE,Saudi Arabia, Canada, Germany and other parts of Europe. In Islamabad Pakistana protest rally was held outside the United Nations office and press club inwhich demand for the return of mortal remains of Maqbool butt was reiterated.The sit in was led by front leaders M. Rafiq Dar, ,M Salim Bhat, Raja GhulamMujtaba,M Rashid Mirza, Manzoor Ahmad Khan,Mazhar Kazmi,Qari Sami ud din, NomanKkashmiri, etc. besides these Syed Yousuf Naseen of APHC also addressed people. A memorandum waspresented to United Nations on the occasion. In London also JKLF leaders, workers and Kashmirisliving in London in large numbers participated in a protest outside the Indianhigh commission. Displaying placards and photographs of Martyr Maqbool butt,the participants demanded for the return of mortal remains of Maqbool sahib andAfzal sahib. A memorandum was also handed over to the high commission on theoccasion.

Various programs,protests, rallies and sit in were held in both parts of Jammu Kashmir manyprograms were held in this connection. Besides Muzafar Abad, Mir Pur, Kotli andother places of Azad Kashmir, a public program was held at Trehgam Kupwara (thebirth place of Shaheed Maqbool). Presided over by JKLF senior leader Master MuhammadAfzal, the program was attended by local traders, students, elders and peoplefrom all walks of life in big numbers. Master Mohammad Afzal and others addressedpeople on the occasion and paid rich tributes to the great leader. Maqbool sahib’s nephew and niece recited poemsabout the great Shaheed.

AtSrinagar a protest march led by JKLF zonal organizer Bashir Ahmad Kashmiristarted from Maisuma despite a strict curfew. As soon as the participants ofthe rally started their march towards Lal Chowk, police and other forces inlarge numbers cordoned them from all sides .Bashir Kashmiri along with Ghulam RasoolHazari, Mohammed Haneef, Muhammad Afzal Sheikh, Imtiyaz Ahmad and Shahid Makayawere arrested on the occasion.

Similarkind of protest and public meetings are being reported from many more countriesof the world. It may be recalled that on 16^th and 26^thFebruary 2014 public rallies will be held in Belgium and Nottingham UK inconnection with the Maqbool day. These programs will be organized by JKLF UKand Europe zone.

It is worth to mention here that Yasin Malikwas arrested on 9^th February 2014 while leading a protest marchtowards Lal Chowk others who are still in police custody along with Yasin Malikare advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi, MushtaqAjmal, Sheikh Khalid, Ashraf bin Salam, Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Dist. presidents BashirAhmad Boya, Abdul Sattar, Activists Giyas ud Din, Abdul Aziz, Fayaz Lone and ImtiyazBhat etc.

Ends