UK govt closely monitoring trial of terrorist Yasin Malik

London, May 18: UK govt is closely monitoring the trial of terrorist and Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, says UK Foreign Office Minister Tariq Ahmad to the House of Lords on Tuesday (May18). He also pointed out that Malik's arrest is part of an independent judicial process.

 

 

 

 

The minister, in-charge of South Asia and the Commonwealth in the Foreign Office, was responding to questions in the upper house of the UK parliament on a range of issues. He was asked about the trial of Malik by Pakistani-origin Liberal Democrat, Lord Qurban Hussain, under the heading of 'Human Rights Situation in Indian-administered Kashmir'.

 

 

He informed the parliament, "On the specific issue of the trial of Yasin Malik, we are monitoring the trial very closely." According to Lord Ahmad, terrorist Yasin Malik, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), was charged under Indian law and therefore the case is part of an independent judicial process.

 

 

 

 

 

He further said, "We do note he has been charged under Indian law. Therefore, I am sure the noble lord appreciates it, we cannot intervene in the independent judicial process of India directly. However, in all our engagements we urge all countries to always respect and uphold their own international commitments regarding the treatment of any detainees." At the same time, Pakistani-origin Liberal Democrat Lord Qurban Hussain described Malik as a “prominent Kashmiri leader, who has a huge following in the UK as well.” Hussain claimed that Kashmiris suspect the Indian govt “wants to get rid of him too”.

 

 

While the discussion continued with several Indian - origin and Pakistan - origin peers putting forth their views, another Indian-origin peer, Lord Rami Ranger, intervened and raised the matter of persecution of minorities in Pakistan. Ranger pointed out the recent murder of two Sikh traders in Peshawar, that rooted to their religion. He also questioned, "Who is supplying arms to the terrorists in Kashmir, who is training them and who is encouraging them to create disruption in a paradise. Lord Ahmad responded to another query and confirmed that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson did “engage on a broad range of issues, including those of human rights” during his visit to India last month.