The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir held a significant meeting on the sidelines of the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The meeting, chaired by OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, witnessed the participation of key representatives from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Niger, Azerbaijan, the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), and True Representatives of the Kashmiri People. Pakistan’s delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.
Pakistan’s Stance on the Evolving Situation in IIOJK
During the meeting, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi provided a detailed briefing on the evolving situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He emphasized India’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its occupation of IIOJK, which he described as a blatant violation of relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The Foreign Secretary highlighted that India has created an environment of intimidation and fear in the region, severely restricting the political rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.
Qazi also urged the Indian government to take immediate steps to address the human rights violations in IIOJK. His demands included the release of all political prisoners, lifting the curbs on outlawed political parties, revoking the illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, and implementing the relevant UNSC resolutions. These actions, he argued, are essential for restoring peace and stability in the region and ensuring that the Kashmiri people can exercise their right to self-determination.
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OIC Contact Group’s Reaffirmation of Support
The OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a steadfast supporter of the Kashmiri cause, reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination. The group emphasized the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Contact Group underscored that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is crucial for achieving durable peace and stability in South Asia. The group reiterated its call for the international community to take meaningful steps to address the ongoing human rights violations in IIOJK and to work towards a just and fair resolution of the conflict.
Adoption of Joint Communique
In a show of unity and solidarity, the OIC Contact Group unanimously adopted a joint communique at the conclusion of the meeting. The communique highlighted the group’s collective stance that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are contingent upon the final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The group called for the implementation of UNSC resolutions that recognize the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, and for the international community to play a more active role in facilitating a peaceful resolution.
50th Session:
The meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir at the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers marks another chapter in the international community’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. As the Contact Group continues to advocate for the rights of the Kashmiri people, the spotlight remains on India to address the concerns raised by the international community and to engage in meaningful dialogue towards a peaceful resolution.
The reaffirmation of support from the OIC and its member states sends a strong message to the global community that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir remains a critical factor for peace in South Asia. The international community, particularly the United Nations, is urged to take immediate and effective measures to ensure that the rights of the Kashmiri people are upheld and that a just resolution to the dispute is achieved in accordance with international law and the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
