rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR (AJK): February 11: Chairman of the Brussels-based Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), Ali Raza Syed, on Wednesday emphasized that unity and cohesion among Kashmiris are vital for the success of the freedom movement. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled “Journey to Freedom,” organized by the Kashmir Council Europe at its central secretariat in Brussels on the martyrdom anniversaries of Afzal Guru Shaheed and Maqbool Bhat Shaheed.
The seminar was attended by leaders of the Kashmiri and Pakistani communities residing across Europe, representatives of political and social organizations, human rights activists, intellectuals, and journalists. Speakers paid tribute to the martyrs and highlighted the significance of their sacrifices in the ongoing struggle for self-determination.
Ali Raza Syed said that Kashmiris can achieve their objectives through unity, mutual understanding, and coordinated efforts. He described unification as a powerful instrument that would amplify the Kashmiri voice globally. He reiterated that the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people is internationally recognized and stressed the need to project this right more effectively at global forums, particularly within European institutions and policymaking circles.
He also called for intensified efforts to secure the release of Yasin Malik and other Kashmiri political leaders, activists, and human rights defenders, stating that they are imprisoned under what he termed baseless charges. He urged international human rights organizations to take concrete steps and raise sustained advocacy campaigns for their release.
Referring to Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat, Syed said India has not handed over their mortal remains to their families, terming it a violation of international human rights norms and principles of justice. Other speakers described the two leaders as guiding lights of the Kashmir freedom movement whose sacrifices continue to inspire generations and strengthen resolve among Kashmiris at home and abroad.
The seminar was moderated by Chaudhry Imran Saqib, President of the Pakistan Press Club Belgium. Among the speakers were former Brussels Parliament member Dr. Manzoor Zahoor, Professor Imad Hanif, senior JKLF Europe Zone leader Zaheer Zahid, World Kashmir Diaspora Alliance Europe President Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Joshi, Kashmiri leader Zahid Iqbal, PPP Belgium leader Haji Waseem Akhtar, and community leaders Saleem Memon and Kenneth Roy.
Participants urged the United Nations and the European Union to press India to return the mortal remains of the two martyrs to their families, stating that burial according to religious and cultural traditions is a fundamental human right. The event concluded with prayers for the martyrs and a renewed pledge to continue raising the Kashmir issue at international platforms for justice, peace, and self-determination.