OIC calls upon India to implement UN Security Council's resolutions on Kashmir

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on India to implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and expressed concern at the 'gross violations' of human rights allegedly committed in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) by the Indian security forces.

According to a release by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OIC affirmed its support to the Kashmir struggle, at the 13th OIC Summit, held in Istanbul from April 10-15 and also 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 highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir was the core dispute between India and Pakistan and its resolution was imperative for bringing peace in South Asia.

The Conference called on New Delhi to implement numerous UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir, which declared that 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.

Affirming its support to the wide-spread indigenous movement of the people of India Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination, the Conference urged that freedom struggle must not be equated with terrorism.

Welcoming the establishment of a standing mechanism by the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) for monitoring the human rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir(IOK), it called upon India to allow the OIC Fact Finding Mission and the international human rights groups and humanitarian organizations access to IOK.

Endorsing the recommendations of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the conference took note of the Memorandum presented by the True Representatives of the Kashmiri People to the Secretary General in Contact group meeting of April 12, 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.

It also appealed to the Member States and Muslim Institutions to grant scholarships to Kashmiri students in different Universities and institutions in OIC Countries.

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.

Meanwhile, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, 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.