'Aksai Chin should be considered as China-occupied Jammu and Kashmir', demand at UN

- In addition to defining a controversial issue, the formation of appropriate vocabulary also plays an important role in finding a way to resolve it: Junaid Qureshi

Jammu, Ta. Thursday, March 24, 2022

Junaid Qureshi, a Kashmiri human rights activist, raised the issue of China's illegal occupation of Aksai Chin during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday. He told the United Nations that Aksai had occupied a large part of China and should be formally recognized as "Chinese-occupied Jammu and Kashmir". Junaid Qureshi from Srinagar is the director of the Brussels-based European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS).

Vocabulary is the means of resolving disputes

In reply, Junaid said, "I would like to draw the attention of the council to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the land of my ancestors." This has been discussed at the conference for decades. Most of the terminology that has been coined by the United Nations on this issue has been in common use for many years. The formation of appropriate vocabulary and its adoption play an important role in defining a contentious issue as well as finding a way to resolve it.

UN, ignored by UNHRC

Junaid Qureshi said, “Aksai Chin is spread over more than 20 per cent of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is almost the size of Bhutan. The United Nations and its various organs, such as the UNHRC, have completely ignored China's illegal occupation of Aksai Chin on the basis of current terminology on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Given the seriousness of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, such a mistake could have serious implications.

Opposition to Junaid's demand by China

After hearing about Junaid Qureshi, China opposed him. China said Junaid's statement was against China's territorial integrity and sovereignty and violated the United Nations Charter. China urges that Junaid's demands be ignored.

Occupied by China in 1950

During the 1950s, China occupied Aksai Chin (approximately 38,000 sq km). It then strengthened its military hold on the region during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. The area has since been the subject of controversy between the two countries.