It is a pleasure to see you in your place, Mr Speaker.
I started a petition earlier this year on the situation in
Indian-administered Kashmir. The situation has deteriorated
further since the petition’s wording was agreed, and it is
with great urgency that I present the petition to the House
on this, the last sitting day of the Parliament.
The petition has been signed by 1,608 people, in addition
to the 250 people who signed it online.
The petition states:
The petition of residents of the UK,
Declares that the security situation in Kashmir remains
unacceptable with continued human rights violations;
further that recent events, particularly around the Indian
General Election, have seen an increase in violence and
deaths in the region.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons
urges the Government to put further pressure on the Indian
Government to resolve the long running dispute; and further
to commit to working with both parties to encourage
dialogue to deliver a resolution to the status of the
region; and further to support development in the region;
and further to support calls for self-determination for the
Kashmiri people by empowering those who live in Kashmir to
determine their own future through the ballot box.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
Dispute in Kashmir
Mr Speaker, I rise for what is probably the last time
for some time, for a number of reasons, to speak on
behalf of my constituents about a matter of grave
concern to them. We had thought we might have a bit
longer to gather signatures, but the calling of a
general election and my impending maternity leave has
put paid to that. However, we are community that has
long been concerned about the situation in Kashmir.
The petition states:
The petition of residents of Walthamstow,
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.
