Asked by Lord Ahmed To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether
they intend to encourage the government of India to
withdraw its formal reservations against the right of
self-determination so that conflicts in Indian-controlled
Kashmir, Punjab and other territories in the north east of
the Indian sub-continent can move towards a peaceful
resolution in a democratic manner, underpinned by
international...Request free trial
Asked by
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To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to
encourage the government of India to withdraw its formal
reservations against the right of self-determination so that
conflicts in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Punjab and
other territories in the north east of the Indian sub-continent can move towards a
peaceful resolution in a democratic manner, underpinned by
international law.
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(Con)
We have no plans to make representation to the Indian Government regarding the
declaration India made in 1979 on the right of
self-determination when ratifying the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights. It is not for the UK to
prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator on these
territories. On Kashmir, it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting
political resolution, taking into account the wishes of the
Kashmiri people.
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(Non-Afl)
I thank the Minister for her reply. Given the British
experience in Northern Ireland, how can Her Majesty’s
Government help to bring a peaceful end to the conflicts in
these regions and bring to justice the perpetrators of human
rights abuses in Kashmir, including those who gang raped and
murdered eight year-old Asifa Bano—there are many thousands
of others like her—and the perpetrators of the genocide of
Sikhs in 1984? Would Her Majesty’s Government support a free,
fair and impartial plebiscite, in accordance with UN
resolutions of 1948 and 1949, and a referendum for Khalistan?
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We acknowledge the strength of feeling in Sikh communities
regarding the events of 1984. The question of an
investigation is a matter for the Government of India and India’s judicial authorities. As I said,
we believe it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting
political resolution and we encourage both sides to maintain
positive dialogue and good relations, but the pace of
progress must be for them to determine. On the rape that the
noble Lord mentioned, these cases are nothing short of
horrific. I, and, I am sure, your Lordships’ House, extend
our condolences to the families of the victims. Prime
Minister Modi has been clear that justice will be done.
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(CB)
My Lords, at India’s independence, there was a transfer
of power Act which said that India should be divided in the manner
of the United States, with a lot of devolution.
Unfortunately, the central Government have ever since tried
to seize ever more power. India is a vast country of many
religions, cultures and races; it is not working. Would it
not be helpful if the British Government urged India again to look at some element
of devolution? Another aspect is the abuse of human rights in
different parts of the country. The Commonwealth conference
is an excellent opportunity to look at human rights
throughout the Commonwealth and to have a common standard.
Does the Minister agree?
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On the first part of the noble Lord’s question, in relation
to our country trying to bring about some progress—and at the
risk of repeating myself and frustrating noble Lords—we
believe that the momentum for this must come from
the Indian and Pakistani communities. On human
rights, India has a strong democratic
framework which guarantees human rights, but we acknowledge
that it faces numerous challenges relating to its size and
development when it comes to enforcing fundamental rights
enshrined in its constitution and wider law.
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(LD)
My Lords, this is the most unhelpful suggestion ever to come
from the noble Lord, . How is it likely to help
Pakistan? If withdrawal of the formal reservation against the
right of self-determination by the regions of Balochistan,
Punjab and Sindh in Pakistan is taken to its logical
conclusion, it will make the country almost ungovernable.
Does the Minister agree that, on the fringe of CHOGM,
both India and Pakistan have the
opportunity to move towards a peaceful dialogue without
interference from other countries and from the terrorist
elements that operate to destabilise this process?
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The noble Lord makes a very good point. CHOGM presents all
countries attending with the opportunity to have dialogue. We
hope that will happen.
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(Lab)
My Lords, I know that the principles of human rights will be
a feature of this week’s CHOGM meeting. One way of
guaranteeing human rights is to ensure freedom of expression
and, certainly, freedom of religious belief. What are the
Government doing to ensure that we raise with
the Indian and Pakistani Governments the need
to adhere to those fundamental human rights if progress is to
be made?
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The British high commission in New Delhi discusses human
rights issues with institutions such as the Indian National Commission for Minorities
and state Governments and will continue to do
so. India has a strong democratic
framework which guarantees human rights and it faces
challenges. I have no doubt that people will do all they can
to ensure that the subject is not forgotten and is worked on
to achieve the best possible outcome for the people it
affects.
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