The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has reiterated its unwavering support for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. According to Kashmir Media Service, the reaffirmation came during a meeting in New York between Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru, Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, and Sardar Taj Khan, Senior Vice Chairman of the Kashmir Mission USA.

During the meeting, Ambassador Opeloyeru reiterated the OIC’s long-standing commitment to a peaceful settlement of the disputes in Kashmir and Palestine in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He emphasized that the OIC remains committed to supporting efforts aimed at achieving a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute and safeguarding the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The OIC envoy assured the delegation that their proposals would be conveyed to the OIC headquarters and considered during the forthcoming meetings of the OIC Kashmir Contact Group in Iraq and on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai briefed the OIC representative on the prevailing situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), expressing concern over the human rights situation in the territory.

He said demographic changes, which he characterized as a settler-colonial project, threaten the identity and future of the Kashmiri people. He also highlighted restrictions on civil liberties, arbitrary detentions and curbs on political expression, saying even criticism of the Indian Army or the government on social media could result in detention and prolonged disappearance. He added that advocacy for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir has increasingly come under restrictions, exposing people to serious legal consequences.

He stressed that the international community cannot afford to remain indifferent to the situation in Kashmir. Dr Fai also appreciated the role of the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) for consistently highlighting the human rights situation in Kashmir and calling for restoration of fundamental freedoms, repeal of draconian laws, access for international fact-finding missions and implementation of the relevant UN resolutions concerning the right to self-determination. He urged the Commission to convene formal hearings on Kashmir and invite independent experts and Kashmiri representatives to testify.

He said the Kashmir dispute remains one of the world’s longest unresolved conflicts and urged the United Nations to complement its statements with more proactive engagement to uphold justice, human rights and international law. Sardar Taj Khan urged the OIC to raise the issue of Kashmiri political prisoners, including Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda, Nahida Nasreen, and called for greater international attention to their cases.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)