Geneva
Representatives of National Equality Party Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan & Ladakh (NEP-JKGBL) along with social and political activists from around the world, recently attended an event organised on the sidelines of ongoing 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council emphasizing the issues of the people of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
Panellists of the press conference were Nicolas Levrat the Special Rapporteur on minority issues of the United Nations, Konstantin Bogdanos a journalist and former member of the Greek Parliament, Tsenge Tsering, Humphrey Hawksley, Sajjad Raja the Founder Chairman of NEP-JKGBL and Joseph Chongsi of the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy acted as moderator.
Additionally, members of the press also attended the same event focused on the situation of minorities in Pakistan, especially in the regions of POK and GB.
Journalist Bogdanos, during the press conference, insisted that European citizens must take interest in these issues, even if they are physically far away from POK and GB borders. He further strongly criticized the policies pursued by the Pakistani government with regard to minorities and the militarization of the territory, turning prosperous areas into hostile places. He also referred to the situation in his country in Northern Cyprus, arguing that they are fighting against the oppressors.
In his statement Levrat, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues on the UN addressed the issues relating to minorities in this region, highlighting a historical oversight, as only one visit had been made since the creation of the rapporteurship to Sri Lanka in 2006.
