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The fundamental human rights are universal: Dr. Fai

Washington, D.C. December 10, 2012. “The fundamental human rights are universal. That is the tacit assumption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which needs to be applauded. Even if all of its lofty provisions safeguarding fundamental human freedoms and liberties remain dishonored in many parts of the globe, it stands as a moral reproach to wrong doing nations that may facilitate reform,” said Dr. Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai from Cumber Prison Camp in Maryland, USA.

 
Fai said that it was heartening to know that Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations has put forth the vision of the United Nations when he said in April 2011, “From Southern Sudan to Timore – Leste, from Tunesia to Krygstan, we have seen people longing for democratic accountability, freedom and human rights. The United Nations will continue to articulate and stand up for universal values and work through its system to embed them in the fabric of national and international life.” Yet the seeming conspiracy of slience, Fai added, over gross affronts of the vision of the Secretary General in Indian-Occupied Kashmir — an occupation which itself violates still binding United Nations Security Council resolutions dictating a self-determination there under an international and impartial supervision — is worrisome. And the United Nations has remained largely passive and crowned India with veto power over outside intervention.
 
“Who can defend torture, disappearances or summary executions in this day and age, Fai asked? The genuine test of how much we care about such abuses is what we do about them, not just what we say about them. And the United Nations, despite all its shortcomings still seems an ideal place to begin with a serious plan of action.
 
Fai emphasized that real credit for the success, if any, should go to the people of Kashmir, who, against all odds, continue to struggle in a peaceful and non-violent manner for their inalienable rights that were gauranteed to them by both India and Pakistan and endorsed by the United Nations.
 
Fai appealed to the world powers that for comprehensive and lasting peace in South Asia; and a politically secure and democratic future, the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu & Kashmir be recognized and respected. He added that there must be an early, just and durable resolution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the international agreements and the wishes and the aspirations of the people of the State.
 
Fai reminded the American policy makers that according to President Obama, the United States holds urgent national security and foreign policy interests in a negotiated solution to the 65 year old Kashmir conflict. President Obama said on November 8, 2010 that the resolution of Kashmir issue is, “in the interests of the region, it is in the interest of the two countries involved and it is in the interest of the United States of America.” Therefore, we appeal to President Obama and the world powers that an appointment of a special envoy on Kashmir will hasten the process of peace and prosperity in the whole region of South Asia — home to one-fifth of total human race.
 
Dr. Fai can be reached on:
 
Syed Fai
78764-083
FCI- Cumberland Prison Camp
P. O. Box 1000
Cumberland, Maryland – 21501, USA

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    Washington, D.C. June 29, 2012. “Any Kashmir solution that fails to command the consensus of the 17 million people of Jammu & Kashmir is doomed to shipwreck moments after launching. Indeed, any process that ignores the wishes of the people of Kashmir will not only prove to be an exercise in futility but can also cause incalculable human and political damage. Thus, it makes no sense to negotiate over their heads. The best that could result from these meaningless negotiations would be sound and fury signifying nothing, as at Tashkent, Simla, Lahore and elsewhere,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai at a reception held in his honor in Darnestown, Maryland.

    Dr. Fai thanked the members of the Kashmiri American community for becoming instrumental in highlighting the issue of Kashmir not only in Washington, D. C. but in New York City as well. He told his well-wishers that the people of the Indian Occupied Kashmir remain indebted to them for their relentless and consistent advocacy for the just cause of Kasshmir.

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    Dr. Fai Addressed a Forum of Journalists in Washington

    WASHINGTON, D.C. June 27, 2012 (APP): Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory and has never been an integral part of India, a veteran Kashmiri leader said.

    “I want to debunk this myth created by India that Kashmir is an integral part of India —- this is a matter of historical record that India occupied the region on October 27, 1947 when the very first Indian soldier set foot on the soil of Kashmir —- the highest diplomatic forums including the United Nations and the United States have recognized the disputed nature of the region,” Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai told a forum of journalists in Springfield, Virginia.

    The Kashmiri-American activist said in the post-9/11 world, New Delhi has tried to weave a smokescreen with some unfounded myths, which seek to discredit the genuine struggle of the people. But these ploys will never be able to cover up the reality and sufferings of people in the Occupied Kashmir, he added.

    “India has failingly tried to equate Kashmiri people with terrorists — how can a people, who believe in the UN-mandated right to self-determination and then hold demonstrations to go to the UN office in Srinagar to remind the international community of its pledge, be terrorists? Terrorists don’t believe in the UN system or any other global forum.

    “Also, how can an entire population of millions be dubbed as terrorists when they hold peaceful demonstrations for their promised rights?” he questioned.

    Dr. Fai also said that India would like you to believe that Kashmir is an issue of fundamentalism. He explained that “the term fundamentalism is quite inapplicable to the Kashmiri society. One of the proud distinctions of Kashmir has been the sustained tradition of tolerance and amity between the members of different religious communities. It has a long tradition of moderation and non-violence. Its culture does not generate extremism or fundamentalism. The fact is that Kashmir conflict was never a fight between Hindus and Muslims. It was never a struggle between theocracy and secularism. Nor was it a border dispute between India and Pakistan. It has always been about the hopes and future of 17 million people of Kashmir, be they Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or Buddhists.”

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    Dr. Fai to continue work for the cause of Kashmir during incarceration

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA. June 25, 2012 – Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, the leader of Kashmiri freedom struggle, says during his incarceration at the minimal security Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Cumberland, Maryland, he will continue his work for the cause of Kashmir.

     

    Addressing a gathering of American Muslim leadership and well-wishers in Fremont, CA, Dr Fai said there is no restriction on him to continue his work for the cause of Kashmir. He pointed out that the prosecution had withdrawn charges initially leveled against him to be the agent of a foreign government.

     

    Dr. Fai begins a two-year imprisonment term on July 10, 2012 for violating certain tax laws related to non-profit organizations. On March 30th he was sentenced to two-year imprisonment for conspiracy and violations of certain tax laws. Although initially charged under the FARA [Foreign Agents Registration Act] as an unregistered agent of Pakistan, Dr. Fai was never convicted on this allegation, which seemed clearly intended to support negotiations the U.S. and Hillary Clinton were engaged in with India at the time, according to Paul Barrow, Director of United Progressives and the Director of American Affairs for the International Council for Human Rights and Justice.

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    Washington, January 5, 2104. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, lamented today’s 65th anniversary of the non‑implementation of the January 5, 1949, United Nations resolution which says that the future of Jammu and Kashmir shall be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite; there shall be no threat, coercion or intimidation, bribery or other undue influence on the voters in the plebiscite; no restrictions should be placed on legitimate political activity throughout the State; all subjects of the State, regardless of creed, caste or party, shall be safe and free in expressing their views; and there shall be freedom of the Press, speech and assembly.