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ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 (APP):A European delegation visited the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) at its office today and was briefed by KIIR Chief Altaf Hussain Wani on the institute’s work and the ongoing human rights situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation included Cedric Gerbehaye — Journalist (Belgium)
Marjan Lucas — Human Rights Activist (Netherlands)
Anna Olegovna — Journalist (Netherlands)
Ryszard Henryk Czarnecki — Former MEP (Poland)
Bjorn Anders Hultin — Former MEP (Sweden)
Carl Hultin — (Belgium)
Endre Barcs — Journalist (Hungary)
Ali Raza Syed — Chairman, EU Kashmir Council
KIIR chief Altaf Hussain Wani briefed the visitors on KIIR’s research, advocacy, capacity-building initiatives and the KIIR Internship Program, and provided a detailed overview of recent developments and documented human rights concerns in the region.
The delegation praised KIIR’s sustained work and urged participants in the KIIR Internship Program to proactively build external linkages with international think tanks, universities and media to amplify Kashmiri voices. Addressing young scholars, members of the delegation stressed local ownership of documentation and storytelling: “You don’t need any international photographer to document the stories of the people of Kashmir — take this responsibility, narrate the stories, and you will find international support.”
Survivor testimonies and a collection of KIIR’s reports and literature on the rights situation were presented to the visiting delegation. Both KIIR and the delegation expressed commitment to continued dialogue and to exploring avenues for academic and policy collaboration, exchanges, and support for young researchers and interns.