Several articles refer to Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri in connection with the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) (The Tribune 4 Apr. 2001; Deccan Herald 18 Aug. 2001; ibid. 21 June 2001). Various reports name Kashmiri as UKPNP's chairman (Deccan Herald 21 June 2001; PTI 16 Apr. 2001), while a 22 November 2000 article states that he founded the Party (The Times of India). According to the Political Handbook of the World: 1999, UKPNP is led by Shaukat Ali Kashmiri and Sardar Ishtiaq Hussain (1999).

Sardar Kashmiri is also named in association with other organizations including the European Union of Public Relations (Deccan Herald 6 Aug. 2001); the All Parties National Alliance (APNA), described as a "conglomerate of 13 political parties" in Pakistan Kashmir (ibid. 21 June 2001); and the Balwaristan National Front, a party also active in Pakistan Kashmir (Hindustan Times 21 Aug. 2001).

Although no mention is made of his present status there, Kashmiri has reportedly sought refuge in Switzerland (Deccan Herald 6 Aug. 2001; The Times of India 22 Nov. 2000) and, as of the publication date of a 22 November 2000 article, he was still living there (ibid.).

No further reference to Kashmiri's role within the UKPNP or to whether he has been granted refugee status in Switzerland could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Deccan Herald [Bangalore]. 18 August 2001. "Kashmiris Hold Demonstration in Geneva." http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug18/up6.htm (Google Cache) [Accessed 19 Feb. 2002]

_____. 6 August 2001. "Kashmiri Ultras Misusing Concept of Self-Determination." http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug06/n13.htm (Google Cache) [Accessed 19 Feb. 2002]

_____. 21 June 2001. "Groups in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Accuse Islamabad of 'Dual Standards.'" (FBIS-NES-2001-0621/WNC)

Hindustan Times [New Delhi]. 21 August 2001. Udayan Namboodiri. "Death Sentence to Doc Worsens Pak Rights Record." http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/220801/detNAT19.asp [Accessed 12 Feb. 2002]

Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

PTI News Agency [New Delhi]. "UK-Based Groups React to India's Kashmir Move." (BBC 16 Apr. 2001/NEXIS)

The Times of India [New Delhi]. 22 November 2000. "Blatant Violation of Human Rights in Pak: Lawyer." http://www.timesofindia.com/221100/22nbrs4.htm [Accessed 19 June 2001]

The Tribune [Chandigarh]. 4 April 2001. "Geneva Meeting Discusses J&K." http://www.tribuneindia.com/20010404/world.htm [Accessed 19 Feb. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

LEXIS/NEXIS

Jane's Geopolitical Library (CD-ROM)

Internet sites including:

Dawn

The Hindustan Times

International Relations and Security Network

Kashmir Monitor

Kashmir News

Kashmir Observer Online

Kashmir Times

Pakistan News Service

World News Connection (WNC)