Adopted on 11 June 2000 at the plenary of the two-day conference Peace and Justice in Kashmir held in Srinagar in Kashmir.

We, members of civil society from various parts of India and Jammu and Kashmir, convinced of the indivisibility of democracy, peace, justice and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir:

Deeply concerned at the trauma and turmoil experienced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly over the last 11 years:

Conscious of the suffering of the civilians, particularly women, children and the aged;

Recognising the virtual collapse of health and educational services in the state:

Distressed at the widespread unemployment;

Anguished at the attempts to create a divide between various communities in Jammu and Kashmir;

Outraged at the misgovernance and rampant corruption in the state;

Saddened by the insensitivity demonstrated by major sections of IndiaÕs media towards the plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir;

Demand, therefore, immediate steps for the cessation of all forms of violence and repression, including the withdrawal of security forces to the barracks and reciprocal measures by militants;

Seek an immediate release of all Kashmiris detained under TADA, NSA, PSA, Armed Forces Special Powers Act and all other draconian legislation, a repeal of all such laws and a guarantee for the protection of civil and political rights;

Appeal to the civil society of India and Kashmir for providing immediate relief to all victims of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, especially women and children;

Urge the government to take immediate steps for the restoration of health and educational facilities and the economic resuscitation of the state;

Reiterate the need for the revival and strengthening of the age-old traditions of tolerance, pluralism and communal amity that have flourished in Jammu and Kashmir;

Condemn the apathy of the central and state government to corruption and misgovernance in the state;

Appeal to the media to report truthfully to the Indian people the situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir;

Oppose division of Jammu and Kashmir along religious, sectarian or regional lines; and

Demand an immediate and unconditional tripartite dialogue for a resolution of the Kashmir issue, in consonance with the wishes of the people, to ensure sustainable peace, democracy and justice in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asian Human Rights