Liz Lynne continues to strive for a peaceful resolution in Kashmir

5.49.26pm GMT Fri 26th Jan 2007

Liz Lynne MEP, long time campaigner for a peaceful resolution in Kashmir and President of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Kashmir, has today met with the Kashmiri Prime Minister to stress the need for a long, just and lasting settlement.

A territory claimed by both Pakistan and India, Kashmir is a site of continuous tension and extensive human rights violations. Liz has been very vocal about this issue, pushing for a long-term solution to the dispute that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Commenting after her meeting with the Prime Minister, Liz said:

"It is right that we in Europe should be encouraging India and Pakistan to talk but the only way that we can achieve a just and lasting solution is by allowing the Kashmiri people to be at the forefront of the process. After all, it is their political aspirations and human rights that we must highlight and protect.

"This is not a party-political issue; this is a fundamental human rights issue. Self determination is a broad concept, but is an absolute right, enshrined by the United Nations, and the European Union must respect and protect the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people."