Worcester’s MP met yesterday with Lord Ahmad,
Minister of State for the Commonwealth, the UN and South Asia,
joining a cross party delegation to discuss the ongoing situation
in Kashmir.
There is a substantial Kashmiri community in Worcester, including
the current mayor and his predecessor, and there are a number of
families who, although they mainly come from Azad Kashmir, also
have family ties on the Indian side of the border. The Kashmiri
community in Worcester have also been very upset by the fact that
the curfew imposed has restricted family reunion during the
festival of Eid.
During the meeting with Lord Ahmad, Robin was assured that
the UK Government is working and continues to work tirelessly
through all diplomatic channels to encourage de-escalation and to
ensure long-term regional stability. The UK Government does this
alongside international partners and with a wide range of
counterparts in India and Pakistan.
Robin will be meeting with the community at Worcester’s Unity
House this Friday at 4:00pm and will seek to get some specific
examples of the issues affecting constituents and their families.
The Minister was clear with Robin in their discussion that one of
the most effective tools available of the British Government is
to take up the individual cases of people with links to the
UK.
Robin has previously written to the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office seeking an update on what steps the FCO has been taking to
secure the human rights of the Kashmiri people and intends to do
so again with further information and detail from the local
community.
Speaking after the meeting, Robin said:
“I have had serious concerns raised with me by a number of
constituents and I was glad to be able to raise these directly
with Lord Ahmad. While I respect that it is a tricky situation, I
encourage all constituents with links to come forward and I will
raise these directly to Lord Ahmad.”
“I am due to meet with constituents in the City to discuss their
specific concerns imminently and will take up the concerns raised
directly with the Foreign Secretary. It is very important to me
as an elected representative to ensure that my constituents are
well served and, in cases like this where family members may
directly be affected abroad, I would urge constituents to talk to
me so I may make representations on their behalf.”
Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Allah Ditta said:
“As the Mayor, together with Robin I have organised a community
meeting at Unity House at 4:00pm, in which all members of the
community are encouraged to attend.”
“Local Councillors Altaf of Gorse Hill and Nida Hassan of Warndon
North will be in attendance and all other councillors are
welcome.”
