Brussels: A three day event highlighting effects of the Kashmir conflict started at the European Parliament in Brussels today.  'Beauty of Kashmir, preserved past and bruised present' is organized by the (ICHD) Kashmir Council EU and supported by IKV and the World Kashmir Diaspora Alliance.
The event was timed for the beginning of the parliaments calendar session, reminding the EU to focus on eliminating the human rights abuses which have increased recently. The event also urged the EU to assist in finding a peaceful Kashmir solution.
At the inauguration MEP Sajjad Karim, the host of the event,  affirmed that the European Parliament remains engaged in assisting the region to overcome the conflict and current unrest.   
Glenis Zillmott, MEP and Head of the 'Labour Party Group' gave words of encouragement highlighting the current situation in Kashmir.
Chairman of Kashmir Council EU and ICHD Ali Raza Syed, stated that the continued Indian repression in Kashmir has bruised Kashmiri culture and its physical and spiritual landscape while destroying hundreds of thousands of families. He appealed to the European Union to use its influence to stop murder and repression in Jammu and Kashmir. For a peaceful resolution, he reiterated, the people of Kashmir must be allowed to exercise their right of self determination. 
Marjan Lucas of IKV Pax Christi, introduced a photographic exhibition which reflected Kashmir’s beauty that has been bruised.
Farooq Siddiqi of World Kashmir Diaspora Alliance reminded the international community and the European Union to intervene in Kashmir and to administer the United Nations pledge for a resolution. He challenged the notion of India’s democracy in Kashmir, adding that it is in India’s interest to respect the will of the people of Kashmir. 
Indian author Dr Seema Kazi gave horrifying details of atrocities on Kashmiri women and read excerpts from her book.  Danielle Caron, a Belgian MP also spoke at the event. Dignitaries and representatives from several international organizations including Human Rights Watch as well as parliamentarians; Csaba Sogor and Pirre Migacha attended. The next two days programs will show the documentaries about Kashmir highlighting the human sufferings.  

Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST