2003 SESSION

03-1205

05/01

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 16

ANALYSIS

This resolution urges the United States to facilitate a just, peaceful, and rapid resolution to the Kashmiri conflict between India and Pakistan; to bring a cessation of atrocities against the people of Jammu and Kashmir; and, as a result, to reduce the threat of nuclear war in Southwest Asia.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

03-1205

05/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

Whereas, the people of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir have for the past 55 years been subjected to documented and unspeakable human rights abuses, including the execution of civilians, the rape and burning of women, the immolation and mutilation of children, the deliberate shelling of civilians by military artillery, and the torture and murder of political detainees; and

Whereas, 2 wars between India and Pakistan, in 1965 and 1971, failed to justly resolve either the issue self-determination or the ongoing and egregious violations of human rights; and

Whereas, the threat of nuclear war between India and Pakistan has reached unprecedented levels because of the volatility of the issues attendant to the accession of Kashmir; and

Whereas, resolution of this conflict, the cessation of atrocities, and the reduction of the threat of nuclear war is unquestionably in the best interests of the people of the state of New Hampshire, the United States of America, and the world community of nations; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the New Hampshire general court, fully mindful of the sacred obligation embodied in our state motto, "Live Free or Die," respectfully requests that the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives immediately initiate hearings to discern all relevant facts and circumstances attendant to the Kashmiri conflict so as to facilitate its just, peaceful, and rapid resolution; to bring a cessation of atrocities against the people of Jammu and Kashmir; and to minimize the threat of nuclear war in Southwest Asia; and

That the New Hampshire general court hereby calls upon all parties to this conflict to adhere to the principles of the United Nations Charter on Human Rights forthwith, and grant observers from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch free and unrestricted access to the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir to monitor the status of human rights therein; and

That copies of this resolution be sent by the house clerk to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the New Hampshire congressional delegation.

Approved: February 20, 2003