Kashmir insight

Kashmir Insight is an organisation that was set up in late September 2008 in London by a group of expatriate Kashmiri professionals to campaign for human rights in Kashmir. [http://www.risingkashmir.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=7058]

The group’s aims include lobbying with the British and other Western governments to put pressure on India and Pakistan to respect human rights in Kashmir, campaigning for the removal of anti-human rights laws, and raising awareness of Kashmir in the West by holding cultural programmes and talks. [http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showhumanrights.php?subaction=showfull&id=1222334479&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&var1news=value1news]

Kashmir Insight is an impartial and non-partisan organisation. It will report on and campaign against all human rights violations in Kashmir regardless of victim’s ethnic, religious or national affiliation.

The founding members of Kashmir Insight are Aatif Ahmad Mehjoor, Nageela Yusuf, Shama Naqushbandi, Sanam Tak, Lara Naqushbandi and Sabah Naqushbandi, who are all Kashmiri professionals based in the United Kingdom.

Focusing especially on the draconian laws that have facilitated human rights violations and inhibited political freedom in Kashmir, the group aims to join hands with civil society organisations in India and Pakistan working for the repeal of restrictive laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

It will also distribute advocacy materials to people throughout the world in order to mobilise a mass campaign against human rights violations.

Following dialogue initiated by the group, the foreign ministry of the United Kingdom has invited the group to meet with it in London.

The group also plans to hold meetings with the Indian and Pakistan High Commissions in London to urge them to abolish repressive laws and respect human rights in their respective parts of Kashmir.

The group's website is at: [http://www.kashmirinsight.org]