Two weeks ago, wrote to the Chair
of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee to ask the Committee to
consider holding an urgent inquiry into the ongoing crisis in
Kashmir.
On the 5th August, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced
the decision to revoke Article 370, a clause in the country's
constitution that grants Kashmir special status and allows it to
pass its own laws. Since then, there have been widespread reports
of state-imposed curfews, banned protests, unlawful detentions
and communication blackouts.
In her letter Liz said: "Given the recent
unilateral action taken by the Government of India to revoke
Article 370, removing the special status of Kashmir and
heightening tensions within the region and between India and
Pakistan, I am writing on behalf of the Shadow Foreign &
Commonwealth Affairs team to request that the Select Committee
considers holding an urgent inquiry into the situation."
In response to Liz's letter the Chair of the Committee, , wrote to the Secretary of
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, , asking him to outline the
Government's position on the situation and what steps the
Government is taking to reduce tensions between India and
Pakistan.
Liz initially wrote to Mr Raab last month on the outset of the
latest crisis in the region. Yet no response was received.
Subsequently, Liz decided to contact the Foreign Affairs Select
Committee.
The Secretary of State responded to Mr Tugendhat's request for a
response by the 31st August. In his letter, Mr Raab acknowledged
the UK's unique position to influence the situation thanks to its
long-standing friendship and links through diaspora communities.
He then went on to say that it was not the UK's place to
prescribe a solution and that a resolution must be reached
through bilateral, peaceful negotiations between India and
Pakistan.
Liz speaks at FCO Questions
Liz continues to press the government on this important issue.
At Tuesday's Foreign and Commonwealth Questions in the House of
Commons, Liz took the opportunity to question Mr Raab further on
the government's response to the situation. In particular, she
asked what measures were being taken in regards to the 4,000
Kashmiris who have been detained without charge.
Liz said: "Alongside the revocation of
Article 370, the Indian authorities have detained more than 4,000
Kashmiris without charge in the last month - not just political
activists, but ordinary civilians."
"There are widespread allegations of torture and many families do
not know where their loved ones are being held. This is no way
for the largest democracy in the world to behave, let alone a
member of the Commonwealth."
She went on to ask Mr Raab to clarify what protests he has made
about these detentions.
In response, Mr Raab said: "The concerns and issues she has
raised are very serious. I raised them directly with Foreign
Minister Jaishankar on the 7th August. And to answer the Shadow
Foreign Secretary's point, yes, specifically the issue of
detention as well as the blackouts, we've made clear our concern
and that we need to see, particularly with a great democracy as
she says, that intentionally recognised human rights are
respected.
