(Washington D.C., 10/1/2019) — Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan met with USCMO officials in Washington D.C. during his visit to meet US lawmakers, media, and specialists, updating them on the Republic of India’s shocking and internationally illegal massive military occupation and political annexation of Kashmir on August 5, the Day of Eid Al-Adha, and its unprecedented total communications lockdown of Kashmir’s 7 million people, now entering its 12th week.
Calling the situation in Kashmir “genocide,” Mr. Khan said he has observed on his visit “a palpable shift in the United States” away from the “pro-Indian sentiment…prior to August 5” Indian invasion, citing open criticism of India’s move by congressmen. The same week of Mr. Khan’s visit as the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir, called Azad, 14 Democrats led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal calling on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift the internet and cellular service communication lockdown, preventing Americans from reaching their relatives in Kashmir.
“We assured President Khan of USCMO’s full support for the self determination of the Jammu-Kashmir people and their continued demands for the government of India to immediately lift its internationally illegal communication lockdown and siege of Jammu-Kashmir,” said Oussama Jammal, USCMO Secretary General.
Mr. Khan gave the USCMO delegation a firsthand account of the humanitarian crisis and the current political situation. He and his deputies presented documented cases of gruesome torture of civilians, mass arrests — especially of young Kashmiris, including women — denial of legal representation for political detainees, and widespread shortages of food and medicine, in addition to the unprecedented blocking of phone communications inside and outside the country
Mr. Khan agreed to regularly update USCMO members on the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir.
