Liberals Support Kashmiri Right to a Plebiscite

11.18.29am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th May 2007

Sarah Ludford (London Lib Dem MEP), Liz Lynne (Lib Dem MEP for West Midlands), Sajjad Karim (North West Lib Dem MEP) and Sharon Bowles (South East Lib Dem MEP)

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, (ALDE) in the European Parliament have backed an amendment drafted by Liberal Democrat MEPs stressing the right of the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination through a plebiscite.

Speaking after the crucial vote in the ALDE Group Meeting, Sharon Bowles MEP for the South East said:

"As Liberals and Democrats, we must support the oppressed people of Kashmir's right to self determination. Now is not the time for backward, static thinking. At this crucial stage, all options should be on the table for the parties to negotiate, with full involvement of the Kashmiri people.

"Plebiscites are tried and tested tools for peoples to exercise their established right to self determination. I would like to see a plebiscite with the three options available for the Kashmiri people: being part of Pakistan, India or independence."

"A balanced and constructive resolution from the European Parliament could add real momentum to the positive moves already being made by India and Pakistan. Anything less, could be quite damaging. Our amendments seek to retain such a balance and ensure the Kashmiri people are at the heart of this European Parliament Resolution.

"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 the European Union has a duty to highlight and protect."

Ends.