British MEP seeks to create group for Kashmir cause

A British Member of European Parliament, Afzal Khan, has announced that he will co-found an international organisation in support of "Kashmir's cause for peace, justice and democracy".

Khan, also vice chair of European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defence and who is of Pakistani origin, and Farzana Yaqoob, Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development in Pakistani Kashmir, said in a statement here on Thursday that they have jointly decided to create 'International Friends of Kashmir'.

The announcement comes after the launch of a report on human rights in Kashmir during the 8th Kashmir-European Union week held at the European Parliament this week.

Speaking after the report launch, Afzal Khan said, "The world watches on as the rivalry between Pakistan and India engulfed this land in turmoil. This is no longer tolerable. Kashmiris must have the right to decide their own fate. This is why we are creating 'International Friends of Kashmir'.

They also pledged to organise an international conference in Brussels next year to bring together international stakeholders, organs of the European Union, the United Nations, relevant non-governmental organisations and the Kashmiri diaspora, noted the statement.