First, I thank the many who managed to put this petition
together and gather the signatures, particularly Abdul
Majid, a stalwart campaigner in Glasgow, Dr Irfan Jahangir
and Dr Javed Gill of the Scottish Human Rights Forum and
their team of volunteers. They have put together a huge
number of signatures, and I understand that more are still
coming in to my office.
My constituents are deeply concerned for the welfare of
their friends and relatives in Kashmir at the moment. They
are concerned about the curfew and about the internet and
media blackout that has been going on, despite the best
efforts of organisations and journalists, including the BBC
World Service, to bring some light on the situation. They
seek the de-escalation of the conflict, time-limited talks
and for the people of Kashmir to have the right to
self-determination that they have long sought.
The petition reads:
The petition of Residents of the City of Glasgow,
Declares that the dispute in Kashmir should be resolved
peacefully.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons
urge the UK Government to use its international standing to
encourage India to engage in a comprehensive
and sustained dialogue process with its neighbour Pakistan
to resolve the Kashmir dispute, and urge the international
community to play its role in securing a just and peaceful
resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the
aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
[P002512]
