Washington, Aug 7: Calling for an immediate end to use of force against civilians in turmoil-hit Kashmir, an influential Muslim civil liberties group in USA has called for an impartial international probe into the recent spate of killings in the Valley.
 The Washington-based Muslim Public Affairs Council, has also said that the United States must play an active role in ending the ravaging conflict in the region to prevent further loss of lives.
 “The deteriorating political situation in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in more than 50 civilian deaths in recent weeks. Please take two minutes to call for action by the international community to prevent further loss of lives in the region,” MPAC said in a statement posted on its website.
 It said the killing of innocent civilians goes against national and international laws. “The ongoing situation (in Kashmir) violates international laws, including the Geneva Conventions, the International Covenants for Civil and Political Rights, the Convention of the Rights of the Child, and UN Security Council Resolution 1882 on the protection of children.”
 MPA in its statement calls for; “an immediate end to the violence perpetrated by the armed forces against civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and ambulances, an independent and impartial investigation into the killings of peaceful protectors, inquiry into instances of attacks on ambulance services, initiation of legal and punitive action against persons found responsible for the killings of civilians , establishing an independent inquiry commission to investigate the allegations of serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture, rape and sexual violence in the region, invite and permit the relevant UN Reporters, UN Special Representatives and members of the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearance to investigate the allegations of human rights abuses in the region and initiation of a general debate involving members of the Kashmiri civil society and others on impunity and possible mechanisms to respond to the prevailing impunity.”
 MPAC has urged the US State Department and the Congressional foreign affairs committees to call for immediate action to aid the people of Kashmir.
 It said the ongoing conflict and unrest around and within Kashmir has not only continued to affect the lives of millions of civilians but also remains a flashpoint of regional tension and instability. “The people of Kashmir, India, Pakistan, the United States and others must continue to focus attention on the region. Conflict mediation and resolution in this part of the world is important beyond its geographic confines.”
 MPAC has also expressed grief over the devastating floods in Leh and called for immediate humanitarian efforts in the region. Agencies

Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST