Srinagar, Dec 08: Continuing with the observance of human rights week, APHC today conducted a seminar titled, “Denial of Right to self determination Basic Human Rights Violation”.

The seminar was convened by APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and was attended by senior hurriyat leaders, human rights activists, respected elders and general public.
 The hurriyat leaders who participated in the seminar include, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat,  Moulana Abbas Ansari, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al Safvi, Musadiq Adil, Adv Abdul Majeed Banday, Adv Shahid-ul-Islam, Javaid Ahmad Mir, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Hakeem Abdul Rashid andImtiyaz Ahmad Reshi, Abdul Manan Bukhari and Shahid Saleem. The others who spoke on the occasion including Adv Aijaz Ahmad Dar and  Journalist Bilal Bashir Bhat.
People’s Political Party President Hilal Ahmad War who along with his hundreds of supporters officially joined APHC. The seminar was organized by Hurriyat’s Human rights cell, Salim Geelani.      
Addressing a jam packed gathering, APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the main cause of continuous bloodshed, torture and interminable oppression upon Kashmiris was denial of their birth right-right to self determination to choose their political future. He said that Kashmiris are not begging, but they are demanding their right which has been pledged by India and UN to them.

In the context of international affairs, Mirwaiz said the world is accepting the fact that the rights of people can’t be suppressed by using force. He said the biggest achievement of hurriyat and Kashmiris was that they have remained steadfast for demanding their political rights since 1947, adding, this was the symbol of alive political movements worldwide. He said Kashmiris have watered the freedom struggle with their blood and India should read the writings on the wall at earnest. 
Referring to Kashmir struggle, Mirwaiz reminded UN of its basic role as a world body towards the Kashmir dispute, adding, the UN has failed in discharging its duties regarding the Kashmir issue. He said till Kashmir issue is not resolved, the usefulness of UN would be questioned.
Mirwaiz said elections were no substitute to right to self determination. He said such a process would have no bearing on disputed status of Kashmir, nor now, neither it had any since 1947.
APHC Chairman said Kashmiris have waged their war against the autocratic rulers in 1931 and are continuing do so after partition till date.
Referring to Indian union, he said the country should not deceive people regarding Kashmir issue and present the true picture of this dispute before them.
As Kashmir is going through a critical phase in their history, Mirwaiz said Kashmiris should show unanimity, cooperation, stability and solidarity on all levels so as to defeat the adversaries. On the occasion, Mirwaiz welcomed Peoples Political Party leader, Hilal Ahmad War, upon his joining the hurriyat. He said hurriyat was a forum and resistance leaders should come and join the united forum and present their point of view through this effective platform.
Addressing the seminar, senior hurriyat leader Abdul gani Bhat said that Kashmiris have never usurped the rights of any, nor they will allow their own rights to be snatched by others. He said the more Kashmiris are oppressed and their rights are violated, it will firm their will and resolve which will ultimately take strengthen the freedom struggle.
During the seminar, a film featuring the rights violation over the past decades was also shown.
Meanwhile, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War termed joining the APHC as home return. He expressed hope that under the dynamic leadership of APHC Chairman, the struggle would be taken forward to its logical end.