The ongoing Kashmir conflict

Top lines

Spanning 73 years, the conflict in Kashmir is the longest unresolved conflict on the agenda of the UN.

Concern for the human rights of the Kashmiri people is at the heart of Labour’s approach to this issue. Reports from the region are deeply troubling and Labour should call on the UK Government to urge the Indian authorities to cooperate with the UN to allow them to investigate reports of human rights abuses.

The UK Government should ensure that UN resolutions are upheld and the upcoming UNHCR meeting in March is the prime opportunity for the UK to raise such concerns.

The UK Government should push for unfettered access to Kashmir so that the United Nations or other independent parties can fully assess the humanitarian situation.

The UK Government must fully engage with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review conference this year. It is vital for international peace and security that non-signatories of the NPT, such as Pakistan and India, are encouraged to sign the agreement.

The UK has a unique opportunity to recognise its historical responsibility and to demonstrate its “Global Britain” agenda, by taking on the role of a mediator between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. This will be particularly significant in a post-Brexit world.

Image credit: Shikara boat moored on Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, 2013. Sandeepachetan Travel Photography via Flickr.