Kashmir.
13 Peacebuilding organisations
Youth Parliament of Jammu and Kashmir (YPJK)
Youth Parliament of Jammu and Kashmir is an organisation of young, dynamic, imaginative and innovative young people promoting peace Jammu and Kashmir. Press for Peace
Press for Peace (PFP) is a media and advocacy organisation based in Azad Kashmir that strives to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and the protection of human rights in Kashmir and more broadly in South Asia. Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline
Human Welfare Organization Helpline works for the rights of physically challenged children. Its founder was shot by political militants in Kashmir. International Resource Centre (IRC)
Based in the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, IRC aims to create an interactive learning zone to allow people to develop an awareness and interest in peace and conflict resolution. It is the first initiative of its kind in Pakistan, and its facilities are available to civil society. Child Nurture and Relief (CHINAR)
CHINAR works with orphans and vulnerable young people affected by the conflict in Kashmir, irrespective of race, religion or ethnic background.
13 Peacebuilding organisations
The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India in 1947. The State of Jammu & Kashmir was at this time majority Muslim but with a Hindu ruler, and it was unclear whether it would accede to Pakistan or India. Its eventual accession to India became a matter of dispute between the two countries, with both India and Pakistan claiming ownership of Kashmir. After a brief war in 1947-48, Kashmir was divided between Pakistan and India administered territories. A ceasefire line was agreed under UN supervision, which has since been renamed the ‘Line of Control’. Around one third of the territory has since been administered by Pakistan, with the remainder administered by India, including Kashmir Valley, which has a strong Muslim majority.
Further wars have broken out between India and Pakistan in Kashmir in 1965 and 1999, whilst there is also a Kashmir separatist movement. To further complicate matters in the region, the border with China is also disputed. India does not recognise the border established after war between India and China in 1962. China has traditionally diplomatically favoured Pakistan though relations with India have improved in recent years.
Given the apparently irreconcilable territorial claims in Kashmir, there is no immediate end in sight to this conflict. Now that both India and Pakistan are in possession of nuclear weapons, the stakes in this conflict are of global significance. In this difficult context, local peacebuilders work to diffuse tensions. This work is vital when the potential for local violence to spark larger conflicts carries such huge dangers.
From the blog
An update from Press for Peace
Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC) have established a joint forum for promoting peace in the region. The two-day Intra-Kashmir Women’s conference which concluded in famous tourist resort in Gulmarg sought an end to protracted conflict in Jammu and Kashmir region and also decided to set up a joint forum for peace comprising women from all three units of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistani AJK and Gilgit Baltistan(GB) Read more >>>
From the field WISCOMP: Disaster and dialogue in Kashmir
On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian side was struck by torrential rains which completely destroyed some of its roads, bridges, hospitals and communication lines. Hundred of people were killed and many are still missing. The tragedy shocked the nation and the Jammu and Kashmir and Central governments ensured that relief and rehabilitation, including the evacuation of international and domestic tourists, was immediately enacted. Read more >>>
Interview Interview with Ashima Kaul
The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University has a discussion with Ashima Kaul, local peacebuilder and local correspondent for Kashmir, in which she talks about her work, and what motivated to dedicate her life to peacebuilding. Read more >>>
Interview Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K
Press for Peace (PFP), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation is the brainchild of Zafar Iqbal. This organisation was established in 1999 in Muzaffarabad-the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, commonly known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). The protection and promotion of human rights, conflict resolution, peace and security, interfaith harmony, community cohesion, gender empowerment and sustainable development have been major areas of focus of this organisation. Read more >>>
From the field Mourn and condemn death of young people in Kashmir
Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network is deeply saddened by the death of young people in Kashmir. Every life is precious and every life should be protected. Citizens need to feel secure and that should be the ultimate purpose and intent of security forces, including the Jammu and Kashmir police. Maximum restraint should be shown even in the face of deepest provocation and the young people taken into confidence. An immediate dialogue has to be initiated between angry youth and the administration. People in Kashmir want to live their lives normally; hence all sections of the society should ensure that day to day existence of an average Kashmiri is one that of dignity and honor. Read more >>>
From the field Citizen Power in Kashmir
Ashima Kaul of Insight on Conflict travels with activists of the Right to Information Movement in Jammu and Kashmir as they visit a village to campaign. Read more >>>
Commentary How Kashmiris can contribute to their own cause
The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir may appear to be intractable. India reiterates that Kashmir is an integral part of its territory, while Pakistan asks for justice for Kashmiri people by holding referendum on its status. If a referendum did take place however, the results would depend on the options given to the people. Read more >>>
From the field Sufis and Yogis rediscover traditions for peace
“If you listen to truth, curb the five; (five senses), Otherwise, you bend the body and call it namaaz (Muslim prayer). If you unite Siva (inner Being) and shunya (non-Being). That is the inner namaaz, indeed”, Professor M. H. Zafar, a Muslim Shaivaite scholar captivated the gathering of Muslim Sufis, Hindu Yogis, Buddhist Monks, Humanitarians and Peace practitioners at Sufi –Yogi Dialogue from 8th -12 April 2010 organized by Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) at Kathmandu as he recited the sholaks ( verse ) of Nund Rishi, Kashmir’s patron saint. Read more >>>
From the field Kashmir: Building democracy, building peace
Dr. Muzaffar’s fellow activists, almost 20 of them from different villages, sitting with him in a circle in Citizen Council’s room in Chadoora, District Badgam almost an hour’s drive from the capital city Srinagar, agree with him. “When the oppressed and poor will get their rights, militancy will automatically go away”, they opine, which may not be accepted by all but clearly for the people who have joined the movement, they are convinced that RTI is the answer for social justice , good governance, accountability and transparency which in turn will bring peace. “Yahi hatiyar yahan aman layega (this weapon alone will bring peace here)”, they raise their hands and shout in unison. Read more >>>
Interview Why I work for peace in Kashmir
What motivates an individual to work for peace? And how do they get started? Ashima Kaul, our Kashmir Local Correspondent, is herself a peacebuilder with the Athwaas organisation. In this interview, she takes about her involvement in peacebuilding in Kashmir. Read more >>>
