In a letter to the Kashmiri-Canadian Council (KCC) Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy, said that Canada has been involved in supporting various efforts at the multilateral and bilateral level over the years to address the Kashmir issue. He also assured the KCC that Canada continues to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in Kashmir in annual speeches at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and before the UN Commission on Human Rights.

The Minister's letter, dated March 26, 1996, was a response to letters from Executive Director of the KCC, Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani. Mr. Jeelani expressed his concerns about the deteriorating situation in Kashmir. He wrote that thirteen million people of Jammu and Kashmir have been living in oppression since 1947 because India, in clear defiance of the United Nations, continues to deny them their inalienable right of self-determination. He went on to say that the Vale is dotted with notorious torture and interrogation centres, designed to break the will of the Kashmiri people. The grave human rights violations in Kashmir, documented and denounced by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Physicians for Human Rights, is testimony to the cruel and insane policy of India with respect to its continued presence in Kashmir.

The Executive Director emphasised that the ongoing hostage crisis is a scheme by India to discredit the liberation struggle and turning international opinion against the people of Kashmir. The hidden aim is an end to criticism of New Delhi's military repression in the occupied territory, and freedom of action to take further decisive military steps to wipe-out the opposition to Indian occupation of Kashmir. He said that peace and security in South Asia require prompt actions; actions that will force India to accept the position that no solution of the Kashmir dispute is possible within the framework of India's Constitution, and that the people of Kashmir, who have explicitly voiced their support for the implementation of UN resolutions, should be given the opportunity to decide their fate.

Mr. Jeelani reminded the Minister that the Kashmiris' demand is very simple. They want to be free of military occupation and to decide their future by a democratic vote. A mechanism for the exercise of this right has already been defined by the United Nations Security Council, and was not only supported by Canada, but co-sponsored by Canada. This mechanism needs to be activated and implemented as soon as possible. He further said that Canada has the moral obligation to play a leading role in ensuring that a U.N.-sponsored plebiscite in Kashmir takes place.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the KCC for its letters of January 30th and March 8th, 1996 and expressed the following:

"In my role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I want to assure you that human rights will be an important component in the formulation of Canada's foreign policy."

"Canada's concerns about regional security in South Asia, including the Kashmir situation, have not diminished. We are continuing our efforts to engage in a constructive dialogue with countries in the region on regional security issues."

"The Canadian government is well aware of the legacy of the Kashmir issue, dating from the 1940s. Canada has been involved in supporting various efforts, at the multilateral and bilateral level over the years, to address this vexing [Kashmir] issue and to encourage a solution. At this time, we believe that a lasting resolution of this issue can only be achieved through a sustained bilateral dialogue. We continue to adhere to this position in our discussions with the governments of India and Pakistan. The Canadian government has never prescribed a solution to the Kashmir situation, including the creation of a separate Kashmiri political entity. We respect the territorial integrity of India and Pakistan. Canada has long maintained that the interests of the people of Kashmir should be taken into account in determining their future through peaceful dialogue and within the political process," continued the Minister.

"Canadian officials have discussed human rights issues with Indian authorities on a bilateral basis, and our diplomats have visited Kashmir. We have urged greater access for journalists and International non-governmental organizations . . . In addition, we continue to raise our concerns about the human rights situation in Kashmir in annual speeches at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and before the UN Commission on Human Rights," added Mr. Axworthy.

He further said, "Militant groups in Kashmir have contributed to human rights abuses; attacks by armed people on innocent people and the kidnapping of foreign tourists have not been in the interests of the people of Kashmir. We condemn such acts of terrorism."

"In closing, I would like to reiterate that respect for human rights is a critical component of the Canadian identity and therefore must play an important role in Canada's foreign policy agenda."

"The Minister's letter is an important statement for the people of Kashmir because Canada co-sponsored UN resolutions of 1948 and 1949 which gave the people of Kashmir their right to decide whether the State of Jammu and Kashmir should accede to India or Pakistan," said Mr. Jeelani. "Kashmiri-Canadians should look forward to the Minister's leadership on this issue, and they should rely on his efforts to help stop the bloodshed and ensure that the U.N.-sponsored plebiscite in Kashmir takes place."