[UNSC] UNSC Continues Debate over Kashmir

 Written by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

UNITED NATIONS, United States, 21 August 2021

Continuing on with the reporting on the UN Security Council today, a resolution has been made on the Kashmir conflict.


As of now, it seems that most members of the UNSC are supportive of the current draft resolution. The draft resolution made by the UNSC included many key points including the creation of the United Nations Commission on Inquiry in India and Pakistan (UNCIIP), expansion of the role of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), ceasefire between the Pakistanis and Indians and the protection of human rights for Kashmiris.

The new power of the UNMOGIP would include a monthly report to the UNSC on the situation between Pakistan and India as well as helping to foster stronger relations between the two nations. The newly created UNCIIP would inquire on human rights errors in Kashmir and report to the Office. Meanwhile, the UNSC also wants the two nations to uphold previous peace agreements such as the Simla Agreement.

The newly drafted UNSC resolution immediately saw criticism from various nations including Russia, China, Norway and France. All three states claimed that the UN should do more than those stated in the newly drafted resolution.

The delegate of China criticized Article two, section four claiming that the UNCIIP would only act on the permission granted by India and Pakistan claiming this is far too idealistic. This is a good point considering that both nations have committed human rights errors in Kashmir, it is unlikely that the two nations would allow the UNCIIP to operate within their country.

“We are a catalyst for change” the delegate of France exclaimed claiming that the UN should do more to prevent human rights issues in the Kashmir region rather than sitting back and reporting on what is occuring there. The delegate also stated that the UN only acted when a genocide already occurs and a major conflict have already occured.

The delegate of Russia meanwhile has stated that the situation in Kashmir is “dire” claiming that the UNSC have not acted enough to defend the human rights for the Kashmiri people. The delegate cited that in a previous meeting last year in August, the UNSC also emphasized that the Kashmir Conflict is a bilateral issue but failed to find a viable solution.

Norway meanwhile also does not support the resolution. Her delegate stated that we should not just stand by while atrocities are being committed in Kashmir. In the delegate’s speech, he said, “We need to ascertain the issue and act accordingly”.

On the other side of the isle who support the resolution continue to reaffirm their stance that the Kashmir Conflict is a “Bilateral Issue”, a common phrase in this year’s meeting, and that the UN should not intervene unless the situation has caused a genocide or other major humanitarian issues. While most of the opposing side agree to this fact, they believe more should be done before more human rights violations would take place.

As a country within the Indian Subcontinent and shares a colonial history and cultural links with both India and Pakistan, Bangladesh hopes for a solution to be found in order to prevent further wars and maintain peace between the two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan.

 

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