ISLAMABAD: A peaceful protest was held in front of the Indian Embassy in Brussels on Monday to mark October 27, observed as Black Day by Kashmiris worldwide, commemorating India’s military occupation of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.
The demonstration, organized by the Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), drew a large number of participants despite cold and rainy weather. Kashmiris residing in Europe, human rights activists, political workers, and representatives from various social and civil society organizations took part in the gathering.
Protesters carried placards and banners condemning the ongoing human rights violations in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and called for an end to India’s occupation.
Prominent figures attending the protest included Rao Mustajab, Ch. Khalid Joshi, Shiraz Butt, Ch. Naseer, Saleem Mehman, Khalid Raja, and Shazia Aslam.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe, urged the international community to hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK and to press for the repeal of repressive laws, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
He specifically called for the immediate release of Kashmiri leaders Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, human rights defender Khurram Parvez, journalist Sajjad Gul, and all other detained Kashmiris.
Other speakers appealed to the United Nations to ensure the implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir and to conduct a free and impartial plebiscite so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can determine their political future according to their will.
They reaffirmed that the people of Kashmir reject India’s illegal occupation and remain steadfast in their demand for freedom and justice.
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