Summary OIC Contact Group called for UN investigation of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.
UNITED NATIONS (APP) - Members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Kashmir on Wednesday reaffirmed their complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination and called for UN investigation of the gross human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.
In a meeting on the sidelines of the 73th session of UN General Assembly, they reaffirmed their resolve to support the “unwavering resolve of the Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.”
A communique issued after the meeting said that the conclusions, which were adopted, would be submitted for action by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC, which will meet next week.
The communique underlined the gravity of the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and emphasized that a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions was also a pre-condition for lasting peace in South Asia.
Chaired by Secretary General of the OIC, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, the meeting was attended by Mevlut Cavusagolu, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Abdallah al Mouallimi, the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN and Kalla Ankourouu, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Niger.
Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, participated as the True Representatives of the Kashmiri people at the Contact Group’s meeting.
The Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi briefed the delegates on Indian acts of continued aggression, recent escalation of atrocities against innocent Kashmiri civilians and gross violations of human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
In his speech, Qureshi and his colleagues at the meeting called for establishing Commission of Inquiry recommended in the “damning” report of Office of UN Human Rights Commissioner to investigate allegations of serious human rights violations by Indian security forces. “Over the past 70 years, Kashmiris living under Indian occupation have been killed, raped, tortured and maimed all in the name of ‘peace’,” he said. “During this entire span of time, the international community has stood by and watched,” the Pakistan Foreign Minister said.
Qureshi urged the world community not to forget its obligation towards the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, saying continued apathy to the sufferings of the Kashmiri people could have disastrous consequences for world peace. “Let us once again make our pledge to the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, that we stand with you, until the time your honour, your dignity and your freedom is not returned to you.”
Pakistan, he said, was committed to the UN Security Council resolutions calling for a UN-mandated plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. “We will continue to extend our resolute moral, political and diplomatic support” to the Kashmiri people, he said.
The OIC Secretary General called for an immediate cessation of Indian oppression and atrocities and urged the government of India to peacefully settle the dispute, in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and the UN Security Council resolutions. Continued violence will not work, he said.
The Turkish Foreign Minister underlined the urgency of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which was of critical importance, so as to bring lasting regional peace and ensuring economic and social development in South Asia.
He said Kashmir was an obstacle to the peace in the region. Turkey, he said had encouraged India to hold a dialogue with Pakistan to settle the dispute. He urged the International community to play a part towards a resolution of this dispute.
The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan stated that the UN Security Council resolutions needed to be implemented without any further delay. Those resolutions, he said, were still valid, and called for a negotiated settlement of the dispute acceptable to the people of Kashmir.
He also called for an end to the oppression in Indian occupied Kashmir and for a dialogue to resolve the problem.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Niger expressed grave concern over the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir and called for a “balanced” settlement of the dispute.
Sardar Masood Khan, the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir also gave a detailed overview of the massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law being carried out by the Indian occupation forces in IOK. He urged the international community to get involved and push for a settlement of the lingering dispute to usher in peace in the region.
Masood Khan, as the True Representative, also presented a Memorandum to the OIC Secretary General.
