Text of 1949 UN Resolution Calling for Referendum on Kashmir | Archive Series

Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947 as the Muslim counterweight to India's Hindu population. Predominantly Muslim Kashmir to the north of both countries was divided between them, with India dominating two-thirds of the region and Pakistan one third. A Muslim-led revolt against the Hindu ruler triggered a build-up of Indian troops and an attempt by India to annex the whole In 1948, India attempted to annex the whole region, provoking a war with Pakistan. The United Nations brokered a cease-fire in 1949, and a five-member commission made up of Argentina, Belgium, Columbia, Czechoslovakia and the United States drew up a resolution calling for a referendum to decide Kashmir's future. The full text of the resolution, which India never allowed to be implemented, follows.

Resolution of the Commission of January 5, 1949

The United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan, Having received from the Governments of India and Pakistan, in communications dated 23 December and 25 December 1948, respectively, their acceptance of the following principles which are supplementary to the Commission's Resolution of 13 August 1948:

Mirwaiz writes to Ban Ki Moon [UN]

Excellency,
India has declared an open war in Kashmir. There is blood of innocent children and teenagers spilled on the streets of Kashmir who are being shot dead for demanding the implementation of the solemn pledge made to them by the worl...d community that they would be allowed to decide their future. The entire population is swelling the streets to protest which the Indian state is crushing by using lethal force and other repressive measures - curfew, mass detention… In less than two months over 45 protesters mostly children and teenagers have been mercilessly killed, and the killing spree continues. Such is the height of oppression by the “biggest democracy on earth”, that we are even denied the time and space to mourn our dead. The situation is getting worse and uglier by the day for the hapless people of the valley and can only become disastrous for them unless the U.N. intervenes and fulfills its moral and legal obligation towards the people of Jammu & Kashmir.