By Martin Banks - 6th May 2013: UK MEP Sajjad Karim has called for an investigation following the discovery of 'mass graves' in Kashmir.The centre right deputy has also condemned EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton for her "muted" response to demands that those responsible be brought to justice. His comments come with the launch of a petition to the EU designed to highlight the current situation in Kashmir, a mountainous region which has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for more than 60 years.
The petition is backed by Karim, who told this website, "Although EU policy on human rights has come a long way with the strategic framework on human rights and democracy which was adopted last year, it is disappointing to have our EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy not mention Kashmir as she set out her human rights policy during a debate.
"This discord of double standards needs to be put right."
He added, "I stood up during the debate and highlighted the thousands of mass graves that were discovered in Kashmir only a few months earlier.
"MEPs such as myself even signed a resolution calling for an investigation into the graves and for the perpetrators to be bought to justice.
"Ashton thanked me for raising the issue and said she would speak to me about the matter, however so far her response has been muted. I have yet to hear her discuss the issue either publicly or privately. This is not an acceptable approach from the EU."
A human rights report by the Kashmir council said, "Another year has passed and like previous years, the government of Kashmir has disgracefully claimed the year to be peaceful.
"This hyped peace is a void of justice and is packed with violence."