Brussels, 30/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The 'Brussels Resolution' on Kashmir was adopted on 16 April by the EP All Party Group on Kashmir, chaired by British Conservative James Elles. Taking advantage of the several weeks of lull in the conflict, the All Party Group met on 14-16 April, attended by distinguished guests: barrister Majid Tramboo of the International Council of Human Rights for Kashmir, Gowar Ayub Khan, former Pakistani foreign minister, and Kuldip Nayar, parliamentarian and former High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. The Resolution calls for 1) the facilitation of a peace mission of a delegation of expatriates of Jammu and Kashmir to visit India and Pakistan and both sides of the ceasefire line; 2) for a scaling back of military forces in the region; 3) repeal of a series of laws granting special powers to armed forces in Kashmir and for the tracing of thousands of people reported missing; 4) the cessation of all torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; 5) an end to extra-judicial and summary executions; 6) the release of all political prisoners; 7) allowing NGOs access to Kashmir and Jammu; and 8) giving Kashmiri expatriates full freedom of movement, without restriction.
A shadow was cast by comments by Kuldip Nayar that Kashmir is a problem that must be addressed by India and Pakistan, “Third party intervention is not needed as India and Pakistan are sufficiently adult to develop their own solutions.” Pointing at the EU, Mr Nayar attracted criticism from other participants, who were eager to stress the useful role of the EU. Barrister Sultan Mehmood, former prime minister of Azad Kashmir, seemed pleased that the EP had taken the initiative of assisting in finding a solution to the issue of Kashmir, while Mohammad Sarwar, British Labour MP, welcomed the EU's assistance, along with the aid of the United States.