LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michael Webber on Wednesday introduced a resolution urging Michigan’s congressional delegation and the U.S. government to firmly condemn all terrorism and acts of violence against civilians and calling on the governments of India and Pakistan to do the same as the two nations work toward a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in the long-disputed border region of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This resolution isn’t about taking sides in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. It is about standing up against terrorism and those who seek to advance their radical agendas by killing innocent civilians,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills.
On April 22, a group of militants attacked civilians near the tourist destination of Pahalgam in the Indian-administered portion of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, who were reportedly targeted because of their faith. The attack increased tensions between India and Pakistan and escalated to include the use of military force by both sides, resulting in dozens of additional civilian deaths. The nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, but tensions remain high.
Senate Resolution 63 states, “The attack in Pahalgam has been condemned by the government of India, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community at large as an act of terror against a civilian population, and the government of Pakistan has stated that it condemns terrorism in all forms. Targeting civilians based on their religion violates international tenets of religious tolerance and freedom. It is vital that we condemn acts of violence against civilians.”