Political Prisoners In Kashmir

EDM number 667 in 1999-00, proposed by Marsha Singh on 19/04/2000.

That this House notes with grave concern the continued detention of 25 leaders and members of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Jammu-Kashmir by the Indian authorities for exercising their right to freedom of expression; further notes that they have been held since 8th October 1999, 1,500 kilometres from their homes under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, which allows for detention without trial for up to two years; further notes that the detainees, amongst whom is the chairman Syed Ali Shah Gilani, who has a pacemaker, and senior member Yasin Malik, who suffers from a heart condition and high blood pressure, have not received adequate medical care, and according to Amnesty International continue to be denied scheduled examinations and specialised attention; further notes that a peaceful solution to the Kashmir conflict cannot be achieved when detention without trial continues to deny Kashmiris their basic human rights; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to urge the Government of India to release the 25 detainees forthwith.

This motion has been signed by a total of 33 MPs.