Declaration of a total ban on anti-personnel mines in Kashmir

We, the undersigned representative of the liberation movement in Jammu & Kashmir are determined to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines, that have killed or maimed countless people within Jammu & Kashmir, frequently civilians and especially children, obstruct economic development and have left thousands of people of Jammu & Kashmir internally displaced persons.

We recognize the humanitarian imperative that has brought about the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which has become a global norm, and that the use of anti-personnel mines is equivalent to blind terror, and that use of anti-personnel mines is prohibited under Islam.

We acknowledge that a total ban of anti-personnel mines would also be an important confidence-building measure both within Jammu & Kashmir, as well as internationally.

Unless a total ban is imposed on the production, trade, stockpiling and use of landmines tragedy will continue, not only in Jammu & Kashmir, but also in the whole world.

It is our conviction that fundamental rules protecting the dignity of all human beings must be upheld at all times. We therefore declare that we shall henceforth conduct our struggle for self determination guided by the rules of the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts and the 1977 additional Protocol relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts (Protocol I).

We affirm and pledge that we neither have, nor shall use anti-personnel mines or any other victim activated explosive device that can be triggered by the proximity, activity or contact of a human being or animal. We may continue to use command detonated weapons against military targets.

Neither shall we produce, acquire, trade nor transfer anti-personnel mines or other victim activated devices.

We call upon governmental armed forces within Jammu & Kashmir to immediately halt use of anti-personnel mines, or other victim activated weapons, on the soil of Jammu & Kashmir.

The signatories subscribe fully to, and will act in accord with, the Declaration for a Mine Free Kashmir.

This agreement shall be binding on our organizations immediately upon signature of this pledge.

[Original signed by Syeid Sallahu-din, as Chairman of U.J.C. on 16 October 2007]

[United Jihad Council membership, provided to the ICBL mission on this date: Hizbul Mujahideen, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, Al-Umar Mujahideen, Muslim Janbaz Force, Al-Jihad, Hizbullah, Al-Barq, Islamic Front, Tehreek-i-Jihad, Al-Fatah Force, Harkatul Jihad-i-Islami, Hizbul Momineen ‘Observer’ members: Laskar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Muhamad, Al-Badr, Hizb-i-Islami, Harkatul Mujahideen.]