2019-10-26
The Australian Greens support the Kashmiri community on 27 October as they commemorate Black Day. Kashmir is a disputed territory and it is now almost three months since the Indian Government decided to revoke its special status and further erode Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
The Indian Government must restore basic human rights in Kashmir, including freedom of speech and communication. The Indian Government must also lift curfews and restrictions placed on political leaders, end arbitrary detentions and disappearances, allow humanitarian organisations to resume their work, and reverse the decision to drastically reduce the autonomy of Kashmir.
Once again, the Greens urge the Australian Government to speak out and call on the Indian Government to respect the human rights of the people in Kashmir and their right to self-determination. The people of Kashmir have been waiting long enough for a free and fair plebiscite to determine their future.
Senator Richard Di Natale and Senator Mehreen Faruqi