By Sonja Chai
The new Advisory Panel on the Question of Kashmir is made up of around twenty delegates who are discussing a certain issue in order to provide a proposal to the Security Council on how best to rectify problems in the region of Kashmir. Kashmir is a particularly “contentious area,” explained Advisor Yuner Teh, who representing the Asian Development Bank. The region borders China, India, and Pakistan, and as a result, is the object of a power struggle. This is of great concern to “the international community, because all three nations are nuclear powers,” according to Kelvin Kwok, Deputy President of the APQK. Adds Kwok, “The international community therefore needs to step in and resolve this issue.” Each of the eight issues the panel will address over the course of the conference will fall under the category of either political or humanitarian concerns regarding the disputed area, with two different APQK groups debating in a clause-by-clause format during the first days of the conference. Later, the entire ADQK will convene in a plenary session to debate the proposal in its entirety before its presentation to the Security Council. Afterward, the Advisory Panel will meet with the SC for feedback on the clauses that will be compiled in the final draft.Humanitarian issues to be discussed include the question of economic development and the relocation of Kashmiri refugees. Other issues include the various political and religious groups—primarily Muslim, Buddhist, Hindus, and Sikhs—that render it difficult to broker peace, particularly when considered in conjunction with the human rights violations of the Pakistani and Indian armies in their struggle for control. Allegations include the shooting of unarmed protesters, and numerous civilian deaths. The response from militant groups has resulted in attacks on Hindu residents and the assassination of government official.The political aspects of the Kashmir region issues are mainly relevant to the militaristic presence in the area. Clauses submitted by advisors will be submitted regarding the question of the arms race, and the role of “localized military organizations” in brokering ceasefires, and the effect terrorism has on the regions economic development, civilian lives, and diplomatic locations. The final political issue, concerning border control and sustaining the Line of Control, will prove particularly pertinent in the discussion of a region struggling for sovereignty. When asked about the issues on board for discussion and debate, Advisor Yuner Teh of Shanghai American School, representing the Asia Development Bank, admitted to the “tricky” nature of the issues, mainly due to the fact that the region of Kashmir is one that is the source of a great deal of controversy, “because of the conflict between India and Pakistan over control of the region.” The APQK debate, as it unfolds, will follow usual General Assembly format with a few exceptions. Notably different is the more focused nature of the debate, with each clause by default entirely relevant to the subject at hand. The most prominent variation in APQK debate is the clause-by-clause debate in an effort to compile a complete and succinct proposal to the SC as possible. Also noteworthy is the lack of main or co-submitters—due to a lack of actual resolutions—and approval panels. “I think it’s a great forum, because this is the inaugural session and we are able to make our own rules,” said Deputy President Anirudh Sankar. “[In the absence of] main submitters, no one is fighting and it results in everyone working constructively,” he added. Deputy President Kwok agreed, adding that “the more intimate smaller group sessions result in a more specific focus” in developing a proposal.
The new Advisory Panel on the Question of Kashmir is made up of around twenty delegates who are discussing a certain issue in order to provide a proposal to the Security Council on how best to rectify problems in the region of Kashmir. Kashmir is a particularly “contentious area,” explained Advisor Yuner Teh, who representing the Asian Development Bank. The region borders China, India, and Pakistan, and as a result, is the object of a power struggle. This is of great concern to “the international community, because all three nations are nuclear powers,” according to Kelvin Kwok, Deputy President of the APQK. Adds Kwok, “The international community therefore needs to step in and resolve this issue.” Each of the eight issues the panel will address over the course of the conference will fall under the category of either political or humanitarian concerns regarding the disputed area, with two different APQK groups debating in a clause-by-clause format during the first days of the conference. Later, the entire ADQK will convene in a plenary session to debate the proposal in its entirety before its presentation to the Security Council. Afterward, the Advisory Panel will meet with the SC for feedback on the clauses that will be compiled in the final draft.Humanitarian issues to be discussed include the question of economic development and the relocation of Kashmiri refugees. Other issues include the various political and religious groups—primarily Muslim, Buddhist, Hindus, and Sikhs—that render it difficult to broker peace, particularly when considered in conjunction with the human rights violations of the Pakistani and Indian armies in their struggle for control. Allegations include the shooting of unarmed protesters, and numerous civilian deaths. The response from militant groups has resulted in attacks on Hindu residents and the assassination of government official.The political aspects of the Kashmir region issues are mainly relevant to the militaristic presence in the area. Clauses submitted by advisors will be submitted regarding the question of the arms race, and the role of “localized military organizations” in brokering ceasefires, and the effect terrorism has on the regions economic development, civilian lives, and diplomatic locations. The final political issue, concerning border control and sustaining the Line of Control, will prove particularly pertinent in the discussion of a region struggling for sovereignty. When asked about the issues on board for discussion and debate, Advisor Yuner Teh of Shanghai American School, representing the Asia Development Bank, admitted to the “tricky” nature of the issues, mainly due to the fact that the region of Kashmir is one that is the source of a great deal of controversy, “because of the conflict between India and Pakistan over control of the region.” The APQK debate, as it unfolds, will follow usual General Assembly format with a few exceptions. Notably different is the more focused nature of the debate, with each clause by default entirely relevant to the subject at hand. The most prominent variation in APQK debate is the clause-by-clause debate in an effort to compile a complete and succinct proposal to the SC as possible. Also noteworthy is the lack of main or co-submitters—due to a lack of actual resolutions—and approval panels. “I think it’s a great forum, because this is the inaugural session and we are able to make our own rules,” said Deputy President Anirudh Sankar. “[In the absence of] main submitters, no one is fighting and it results in everyone working constructively,” he added. Deputy President Kwok agreed, adding that “the more intimate smaller group sessions result in a more specific focus” in developing a proposal.
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