Work

“The rights of Kashmiris cannot be ignored…”

Baroness Nicholson calls on UK government to give ethnic identity to the Kashmiri people

23 May 2007

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne today tabled two questions in the House of Lords calling the attention of the British government to the situation of Kashmiris in both Britain and Pakistan.

As author of the European Parliament’s high-profile report on Kashmir that will be voted on Thursday 24 May, the Baroness has been working to promote awareness of the rights and identity of all Kashmiris.

Today Baroness Nicholson called on the British government to explain how it will support moves towards the establishment of fundamental rights, democracy, justice and the rule of law for the people of Gilgit and Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in the region.

Britain’s own significant Kashmiri population was the focus of her second question, asking what steps have been taken to clarify the ethnic identity of British Kashmiris in the next census.

She commented:

“The rights of Kashmiris cannot be ignored and the British government does have an important role to play. Abroad, it can support and encourage moves to give Kashmiris the rights and freedoms they deserve to enjoy. At home, more awareness is needed of Britain’s Kashmiri population, starting with recognition of their specific identity.

“As political events keep moving, there is more we can do to help ensure Kashmiris are not left behind.”

ENDS

________________________________________

For further information contact John Dowlman or Paul Emmett on: +32 228 47625; emma.nicholson@europarl.europa.eu