OIC Calls upon India, United Nations to Implement Security Council’s Resolutions on Kashmir, Expresses Solidarity with Kashmiris

The 13th OIC Summit, held in Istanbul from 10-15 April, called on India to implement pending UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, expressed concern at the gross violations of human rights committed in Indian occupied Kashmir by the Indian security forces, affirmed support to the Kashmir struggle, which could not be equated with terrorism and called upon the United Nations for implementation of the Security Council’s relevant Resolutions on Kashmir which call for the resolution of the dispute and guarantee Kashmiris’ (inalienable) right to self-determination through a UN supervised plebiscite.

In the Joint communique issued by the Summit, the Conference reaffirmed its principled support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for realization of their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN Security council resolutions. It reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is the core dispute between India and Pakistan and its resolution is imperative for bringing peace in South Asia.

The Conference called on India to implement numerous UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir which declare that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir would 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. It further reminded the international community of its obligations to ensure implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and fulfill the promise made with the people of Jammu and Kashmir 68 years ago.

The Conference affirmed its support to the wide-spread indigenous movement of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination and urged that freedom struggle must not be equated with terrorism. It expressed concern at the indiscriminate use of force and gross human rights violations committed by Indian forces, killing thousands of people. It welcomed the establishment of a standing mechanism by the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) for monitoring the human rights situation in IOK and called upon India to allow the OIC Fact Finding Mission and the international human rights groups and humanitarian organizations access to IOK. The Conference endorsed the recommendations of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and took note of the Memorandum presented by the True Representatives of the Kashmiri People to the Secretary General in Contact group meeting of 12 April, 2016.

The Conference called on the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) to undertake activities to protect holy sites in Kashmir and preserve cultural rights and Islamic heritage. The Conference appealed to the Member States and Muslim Institutions to grant scholarships to Kashmiri students in different Universities and institutions in OIC Countries.

In addition, the OIC Secretary General presented a report to the Summit in which he highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir issue remains unresolved and affirmed OIC’s continued support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for realization of their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions. He requested OIC member states, particularly those having good relations with India, to urge India to respect the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people in accordance with relevant resolutions.

President of Pakistan and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, highlighted the Kashmir dispute and reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on Kashmir in their respective statements in Summit and Council of Foreign Ministers.

Islamabad

144/2016