First International Conference on the Right to Self-Determination and the United Nations:
ICHR together with International Human Rights Association of American Minorities (IHRAAM) organised and hosted the above conference at Geneva in August 2000. The Conference was attended by a host of scholars, jurists and academics together with members of the NGO community representing Kashmiris, Sammis, Irish, Afro-Americans, Afro-Brazilians, Tamils, Gullah-Geechee, Chiapas, etc. Speakers included eminent United Nations experts, members of several governments and distinguished jurists and scholars.
This Conference is considered a major event on the “Right to Self Determination.”
- The Second International Conference on the Right to Self-Determination, the United Nations and International Civil Society:
ICHR in association with International Human Rights Association of American Minorities (IHRAAM) organised and hosted the Second Conference at Geneva in August 2004.
The Conference attracted distinguished jurists and scholars and representatives of peoples from around the globe. These included Kashmiris from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian Occupied Kashmir; Dalits and Skeikhs from India; the Sami of Norway and Scandinavia, the Blackfoot of the North American plains, First Nations from Canada, the Gullah/Geechee from the low country and sea-islands off Georgia and South Carolina; the descendents of Africans in America, and the Arawak of Puerto Rico to name but a few.
This Conference was opened on 6 August by Barrister Majid Tramboo, Chairman of the International Council for Human Rights (ICHR), who offered inspirational words of welcome and encouragement. Pat Doherty, MP and MLA and Vice-Chair of Sinn Fein was the Opening Speaker and the Plenary Speaker was Lord Ahmed, Member of the UK House of Lords.
Special features of the Conference included a Photo Gallery consisting of a distinctive collection of pictures of Jammu and Kashmir and its people that was inaugurated by Lord Nazir Ahmed. And, the launch of a picture book, entitled, "A Valley of Tears" was conducted by Mr. Frank Schwalba-Hoth on behalf of Mr. Per Gahrton, former MEP, author of the book's preface.
- Discourse on Kashmir
ICHR in cooperation with the All Party Group for Kashmir of European Parliament organised a two day “Discourse on Kashmir” at the European Parliament and the Kashmir Centre-EU at Brussels in April 2004. James Ellis, MEP and Chairman of the All Party Group for Kashmir and Barrister Majid Tramboo Chair and Executive Director of ICHR opened the Discourse.
Other distinguished guests were: Mr. Gohar Ayub Khan, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Kuldip Nayar, Parliamentarian and Former High Commissioner of India to the UK, Mr. Ashok Jaitly, Former Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, Former President and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mehmood, Former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Mr. Shah Ghulam Qadir, AJK-MLA, Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Fai, Executive Director of Kashmiri-American Council, Mr. Farooq Siddiqi, Convenor, JKLF Central Diplomatic Bureau, Mr. Altaf Qadri, JKLF, Mr. Mehmood Saghar, Democratic Freedom Party”
Mr. Elles welcomed everyone to an exceptional day of discussions on Kashmir, a topic undoubtedly close to the heart of all of those attending having assembled for the Discourse from various continents. As Chairperson of the All Party Group on Kashmir in the European Parliament, Mr. Elles expressed respect and appreciation for the work of the Kashmir Centre and hoped that this Discourse would provide much opportunity for creative discussion.
After thanking everyone the efforts they made to attend, Barrister Majid Tramboo stated that the aim of this Discourse was to focus on fresh proposals for developing a workable strategy for forwarding a way to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
He underscored the necessity for including the people of Kashmir if there is to be an agreement that will bring about a lasting peace.