Communique of the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir meeting on the sidelines of the 74th session of UN General Assembly New York,

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir met on the sidelines of the 74th session of UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, 25 September 2019. The OIC Secretary General chaired the meeting.

Having heard a detailed briefing from the Foreign Minister of Pakistan over the recent developments in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir,

The Ministerial Meeting:

Reaffirmed the OIC position and Resolutions on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute

Expressed deep concern over the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), as a result of India’s actions of 5 August 2019.

Noted the statement by Pakistan of 5 August, 2019 rejecting these illegal and unilateral actions.

Welcomed the statement issued by the UN Secretary General of 8 August 2019 affirming that the position of the United Nations on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute is governed by the UN Charter, applicable UN Security Council Resolutions and bilateral agreements.

Welcomed the UN Security Council meeting held on 16 August, 2019 in response to Pakistan’s request to consider the situation arising from India’s actions.

Affirmed that Indian actions are inconsistent with international law, applicable UN Security Council Resolutions and India’s own solemn commitments to implement UNSC Resolutions.

Expressed grave concern that India’s actions aim to change the identity and demographic composition of the occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to transform it from a Muslim-majority state into Hindu-majority territory.

Welcomed the two Reports issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in June 2018 and July 2019, comprehensively documenting the gross and systematic violations of human rights in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

Deplored the extended, months long, lockdown of the Kashmiri people, round-the-clock curfew and complete communications blackout in IoJ&K, and suppression of Kashmiris protestors who demand freedom from Indian occupation.

Expressed serious concern over the arbitrary detention and arrests of thousands of people, including Kashmiri leadership, professionals and peaceful demonstrators and their transportation to prisons and detention centres outside IoJ&K.

Deplored the indiscriminate use of force, live ammunition and use of pellet guns against unarmed protestors.

Noted with deep concern that the sufferings of the Kashmiri people have been exacerbated by lack of access to hospitals, medicines including lifesaving drugs and food supplies.

Expressed deep concern at reports of abduction of young boys and their subjection to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.

Regretted that India has not allowed the OIC, IPHRC and United Nations Fact Finding Missions to visit Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Denounced attempts to equate the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for liberation from foreign occupation and their right to self-determination, with terrorism.

Having considered the aforementioned grave developments,

The Ministerial Meeting:

Reaffirmed its support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for realization of the inalienable Right to self-determination and freedom from Indian occupation.

Further reaffirmed that the Jammu & Kashmir was an internationally recognized dispute, as recognized by UN Security Council Resolutions and the UN Secretary-General.

Called on the Human Rights Council to accept and implement the recommendations of UN OHCHR to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations in IoJ&K.

Called on India to allow full and free access to the OIC, IPHRC and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in order to independently investigate reports of the gross and systematic human rights violations taking place there.

Declared that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is the core issue between Pakistan and India and its final settlement, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions and a UN supervised plebiscite, is indispensable for durable peace and stability in South Asia and beyond.

Demanded that India:

• rescind its unilateral illegal actions and reiterate its commitment to abide by the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
• provide solemn assurances that it will not change IoJ&K’s demographic composition and not allow non-Kashmiris to acquire property or residency in Jammu and Kashmir
• halt its human rights violations in IoJ&K, including the use of force against peaceful demonstrators, especially the use of pellet guns, lift the curfew, allow peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, release all political prisoners, activists and abducted youth;
• repeal its draconian emergency laws, and withdraw its heavy military presence from IoJ&K’s cities, towns and villages; and
• provide unhindered access to human rights organizations and international media to IoJ&K, to ascertain and report on the situation in the occupied territory.

Directed their respective Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva to periodically brief the UN Secretary General, Presidents of the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, President of the Human Rights Council and High Commissioner for Human Rights on the evolving developments in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

Requested the OIC Secretary General to send a copy of this Communiqué to the UN Secretary General and present a report on the situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the Annual Coordination Meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers, being held on the sidelines of the 74th session of UNGA in New York on 27 September 2019.