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The Security Council Security Council Situation Report: 21 October 2020
This update, and the previous updates, complement the background guide already published in the AMUN Handbook. Please read the handbook before turning to this update.
Due to the nature of this year’s virtual conference the American Model United Nations Secretariat has limited the topics for our Security Council simulations. For the purposes of our simulation, time stopped at 11:59pm Greenwich Mean Time on 17 October, and the only topics available to be added to the Council’s agenda are as follows:
- The Situations in the Middle East (Israel/Palestine, Syria, Yemen)
- The Situation in Libya
- The Situation in Kashmir
While recent updates have provided further context on The Situation in Libya (21 September 2020) and The Situations in the Middle East and international concerns related to COVID-19 (9 October 2020), the Secretary General wanted to ensure that the Council also received an update on the Situation in Kashmir prior to its upcoming meeting. This update can be found below.
The Situation in Kashmir
The situation in Kashmir remains tense along the line of control and throughout the region following the loss of Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019. On 24 September 2020, Kashmiri activist and lawyer Babar Qadri was murdered by unknown militants, following numerous threats against his life for his outspoken support of democratic reform in the region. Other activists and journalists who have spoken out against the various governments and groups involved in the conflict also have been killed in recent months. As recently as 17 October, militants have been killed by local security forces, and area militias have been seen carrying AK style weapons. In response to criticism, the Indian Army cites concern of local youth radicalizing and being recruited into terrorist organizations by local militants, while others point blame at Pakistan.
Beyond the armed conflict, there is significant backlash against national Indian forces in the region by civilians wishing to regain autonomy and their previous special status. The idea is backed by some in the Indian congress, but the movement lacks clear leadership . At the same time, COVID-19 deaths are on the rise, though the full extent of COVID’s impact in the region is hard to measure due to recent instability.
Bibliography
Al Jazeera (2020). “Anti-India clashes after troops kill two rebels in Kashmir.” 12 October.
Al Jazeera (2020). “Kashmir’s political parties unite to fight for return of autonomy.” 16 October.
Kuckay, Bilal (2020). “Journalists have died for their reporting in Indian-administered Kashmir. But since last year, few dare to print the truth.” 4 August. CNN.
News 18 India (2020). “Congress Stands for Restoration of Status and Rights of Jammu and Kashmir, Says Chidambaram.” 16 October.
The New Indian Express (2020). “Militant killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag.” 17 October.
Times of India (2020.) “Hold Pakistan accountable for the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir: Member of European Parliament.” 14 October.
Tribune India (2020). “Jammu and Kashmir reports six more COVID-19 deaths, 610 fresh cases.” 17 October.
Tribune India (2020).”Recruitment of youth into terrorism in Kashmir is a big concern for the Indian Army. 17 October.
Yasir, Sameer (2020). “Babar Qadri, Champion for Kashmir, Is Killed as Violence Mounts.” 25 September. New York Times.
This update, and the previous updates, complement the background guide already published in the AMUN Handbook. Please read the handbook before turning to this update.
Due to the nature of this year’s virtual conference the American Model United Nations Secretariat has limited the topics for our Security Council simulations. For the purposes of our simulation, time stopped at 11:59pm Greenwich Mean Time on 17 October, and the only topics available to be added to the Council’s agenda are as follows:
- The Situations in the Middle East (Israel/Palestine, Syria, Yemen)
- The Situation in Libya
- The Situation in Kashmir
While recent updates have provided further context on The Situation in Libya (21 September 2020) and The Situations in the Middle East and international concerns related to COVID-19 (9 October 2020), the Secretary General wanted to ensure that the Council also received an update on the Situation in Kashmir prior to its upcoming meeting. This update can be found below.
The Situation in Kashmir
The situation in Kashmir remains tense along the line of control and throughout the region following the loss of Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019. On 24 September 2020, Kashmiri activist and lawyer Babar Qadri was murdered by unknown militants, following numerous threats against his life for his outspoken support of democratic reform in the region. Other activists and journalists who have spoken out against the various governments and groups involved in the conflict also have been killed in recent months. As recently as 17 October, militants have been killed by local security forces, and area militias have been seen carrying AK style weapons. In response to criticism, the Indian Army cites concern of local youth radicalizing and being recruited into terrorist organizations by local militants, while others point blame at Pakistan.
Beyond the armed conflict, there is significant backlash against national Indian forces in the region by civilians wishing to regain autonomy and their previous special status. The idea is backed by some in the Indian congress, but the movement lacks clear leadership . At the same time, COVID-19 deaths are on the rise, though the full extent of COVID’s impact in the region is hard to measure due to recent instability.
Bibliography
Al Jazeera (2020). “Anti-India clashes after troops kill two rebels in Kashmir.” 12 October.
Al Jazeera (2020). “Kashmir’s political parties unite to fight for return of autonomy.” 16 October.
Kuckay, Bilal (2020). “Journalists have died for their reporting in Indian-administered Kashmir. But since last year, few dare to print the truth.” 4 August. CNN.
News 18 India (2020). “Congress Stands for Restoration of Status and Rights of Jammu and Kashmir, Says Chidambaram.” 16 October.
The New Indian Express (2020). “Militant killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag.” 17 October.
Times of India (2020.) “Hold Pakistan accountable for the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir: Member of European Parliament.” 14 October.
Tribune India (2020). “Jammu and Kashmir reports six more COVID-19 deaths, 610 fresh cases.” 17 October.
Tribune India (2020).”Recruitment of youth into terrorism in Kashmir is a big concern for the Indian Army. 17 October.
Yasir, Sameer (2020). “Babar Qadri, Champion for Kashmir, Is Killed as Violence Mounts.” 25 September. New York Times.