15th April 2024: Rachel Hopkins, Labour MP for Luton South met with members of Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front UK (JKLF UK) to discuss the trial of terrorist Yasin Malik that is taking place in India. In the meeting that was held in Parliament, Rachel expressed her support for the release of Yasin Malik, who in May 2022 was convicted on terrorism charges.
With its goal to separate J&K from India, JKLF under the leadership of Yasin Malik has been banned in India for its terrorist activity in the region. In addition to being one of the terrorist groups involved in killing and driving out Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s, JKLF stands accused of killing innocent Kashmiri Muslims who supported the cause of religious pluralism and liberalism and unity with India. In 1984 here in the UK, militants associated with JKLF carried out the kidnapping and murder of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in Birmingham.
Hopkins tweeted the following in support of the group after the meeting took place:
This afternoon @JklfUk and my constituent @Zafarkhanjklf held an important meeting to update us on @YASINMALIKJKLF’s ongoing trial and appeal against the death sentence.
— Rachel Hopkins (@rach_hopkins) April 15, 2024
I continue to stand up for #Kashmiris & their right to self-determination.#Kashmir pic.twitter.com/6FpjcYKmg8