[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 251 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 251

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding human rights violations in 
    Kashmir and calling for a negotiated settlement to the Kashmir 
    conflict, including India, Pakistan, and the people of Kashmir.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              August 22 (legislative day, August 18), 1994

 Mr. Wallop submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding human rights violations in 
    Kashmir and calling for a negotiated settlement to the Kashmir 
    conflict, including India, Pakistan, and the people of Kashmir.

Whereas United States policy calls for a solution to the conflict through 
        negotiations between India and Pakistan taking into consideration the 
        wishes of the people of Kashmir and further states that it is up to the 
        people of Kashmir to determine who best represents their interest;
Whereas India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the Kashmir conflict, and 
        tensions in the region continue to escalate;
Whereas India and Pakistan possess the capability to assemble and deliver 
        nuclear weapons;
Whereas reports of significant human rights abuses continue in Kashmir 
        particularly as a result of the excessive and unrestrained force used by 
        the Indian Security Forces against the civilian population;
Whereas the Muslim population of Kashmir has organized the All Parties Hurriyat 
        (Freedom) Conference, an umbrella organization of thirty-four political 
        parties, to engage in negotiations with the Indian and Pakistani 
        authorities without precondition;
Whereas the Hurriyat believes that all representatives of the Kashmiri people 
        should be represented in any dialogue including: The Kashmiri Pandits, 
        the Dogra, the leadership of Azad Kashmir, the Ladakhis and all other 
        legitimate representatives of the people;
Whereas the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in January 1994 brought 
        together representatives from the central participants to the conflict--
        India, Pakistan, and Kashmir--to engage in a dialogue for peace; and
Whereas the USIP concluded that, ``It is essential that people of Jammu and 
        Kashmir be central participants in this political process, along with 
        the governments and citizens of India and Pakistan.'' The report further 
        states that the formation of the Hurriyat could potentially facilitate 
        possible negotiations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) the United States condemns the use of coercive force 
        being employed by Indian military and paramilitary forces 
        against civilians in Kashmir and similarly denounces any acts 
        of violence by the Kashmiri militants;
            (2) the United States urges the Government of India to take 
        specific steps to respond to human rights concerns including: 
        Releasing political prisoners; opening Kashmir to international 
        human rights groups and electronic media; permitting the 
        International Red Cross to visit prisons and detention centers; 
        prosecuting security personnel involved in wanton violence 
        against the civilian population;
            (3) the United States reiterates the need for all parties 
        to the dispute--the Governments of India and Pakistan as well 
        as the legitimate representatives of Kashmir--to enter into 
        negotiations and resolve the conflict peacefully; and
            (4) the United States Senate urges the Administration to 
        work with the United Nations and the international community to 
        facilitate a peaceful negotiation for the final settlement of 
        the Kashmir crisis.
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