INTERNATIONAL law has played a leading role in the development of diplomacy and international relations and also contributed to a great extent in maintaining peace on the planet.

It guarantees states the fundamental principle of sovereign equality and territorial integrity. Unfortunately, the world has often witnessed events where the stronger states have interpreted the statutes of international law to further their own internal motives. Thus there are two core issues that still pose a challenge to the credibility of international law; the Kashmir and Palestine conflicts.

India has usurped the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. By doing so it is in clear violation of Article 2(4) UN Charter. Unfortunately, this violation of a people’s aspiration and India’s brutal and savage human rights violations have failed to attract the attention of the world community.

Why are the guardians of human rights condoning the atrocities being committed by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir? This matter must be resolved as early as possible.

The resolution of the Kashmir problem is of primary importance for peace in the region, otherwise war clouds will continue to cast dark shadows over South Asia.

Mohammad Mehmood Ahmed

Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2015

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