The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is one of the longest pending disputes on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). A number of UN Security Council resolutions inter alia affirm the right of Kashmiris to self-determination and the manner in which the Jammu and Kashmir dispute would be resolved. They categorically state that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

India has been taking different steps to strengthen its occupation of Jammu and Kashmir since 27 October 1947 when it forcibly took over control of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, in a major development, on 5 August 2019, India scrapped the special status of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and bifurcated it into two ‘Union Territories’ to alter its internationally-recognized disputed status and undermine the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. India has since started a process to change the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK. The ultimate aim is to transform the Kashmiri people into a disempowered minority in their own land.

Since 1948, the UN Security Council has remained seized of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute under the Agenda item “India-Pakistan Question” and passed over a dozen resolutions.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) supports the legitimate and just struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) for their inalienable right to self-determination, and continues to call for protection and promotion of all basic human rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people against India’s state terrorism. The Organization is staunch advocate of expeditious and peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UNSC and OIC resolutions and international law. The OIC has been regularly adopting resolutions on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute at its Summit and Ministerial meetings.

India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019

India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 were in blatant violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention and India’s own commitments to implement the UNSC Resolutions.  Notwithstanding the solemn commitments made by the Government of India to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Security Council, and Pakistan, to abide by and implement relevant Security Council resolutions, India has progressively reneged on these commitments at every stage. However, India’s prevarication cannot change the facts of history and law. History has shown time and again that the Jammu & Kashmir dispute constitutes a threat to peace and security in the region with consequences across the borders. In that backdrop, the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021, is a prime example of Pakistan’s efforts for maintaining peace along the LOC; save precious Kashmiri lives; and alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiris living along both sides of the LOC.  Human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has worsened significantly following India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 aimed at perpetuating its illegal occupation and altering demographic composition of the disputed territory and turning Kashmiris into a minority in their own homeland.

Since 5 August 2019, India’s occupation forces have intensified their campaign of oppression that includes: extrajudicial killings; arbitrary arrests; torture; enforced disappearances; collective punishments; sexual violence; restrictions on freedom of expression and religion; curbs on media; internet shutdowns; and arrests of human rights defenders. The entire Hurriyat political leadership – the genuine voice of the Kashmiri people – has been arbitrarily incarcerated for the past several years. The total number of detained political activists and human rights defenders comes to around 4000.  Unfortunately, the prospects of durable peace and stability in South Asia, and the great potential for economic development and regional cooperation, have been held hostage by India’s unhelpful approach towards resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. In any case, Pakistan will continue to call upon the international community to demand India to:

• Reverse all illegal and unilateral measures taken on or after 5 August 2019
• Stop the gross, systematic and widespread human rights abuses in IIOJK
• Halt and reverse the illegal demographic changes in IIOJK in contravention to international law and India’s own solemn obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions
• Drop fabricated charges and immediately releases Kashmiri political leadership, journalists, human rights defenders and youth held in arbitrary detention;
• Repeal its draconian emergency laws, and withdraw its heavy military presence from Kashmiri cities, towns and villages
• Provide unhindered access to UN OHCHR, OIC, human rights organizations and international media to investigate and report on the situation in IIOJK and

Take concrete and meaningful steps for the full implementation of UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.