For thousands of people who gathered outside Dewsbury Town Hall, the unrest unfolding in Azad Kashmir is not a distant political issue but a deeply personal one, with many fearing for the safety of friends and family members living in the region.
More than 2,000 people gathered in Dewsbury in a show of solidarity with communities in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, as concerns continue to grow over reports of unrest and alleged human rights violations in the region.
The demonstration, held outside Dewsbury Town Hall on Friday 12 June, brought together members of the Kashmiri diaspora, community leaders, human rights advocates and supporters from across the UK.
Leading the rally was Independent Dewsbury West councillor Ammar Anwar, who has called for “international attention”, arguing that “innocent people had lost their lives.”
“Protesters expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties and alleged human rights violations, arguing that innocent people have lost their lives while seeking justice, dignity, and fundamental rights.
“Speakers at the rally stressed that the demands of the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir are both legitimate and democratic.”
The rally concluded with calls for international attention to the situation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and for continued “peaceful mobilisation” in support of human rights, democratic governance, political reform, and the rule of law.
Azad Kashmir is a self-governing territory administered by Pakistan and is globally considered part of the broader, highly contested Kashmir region, disputed between India and Pakistan.
