AGENCIES / New York
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday asked India to “rescind” its actions in Kashmir and abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions following New Delhi’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
The foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Kashmir discussed the Indian government’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the state’s bifurcation into two Union Territories during a meeting on the sidelines of the 74th session of UN General Assembly Wednesday.
In a draft communique that was released later, the group voiced concern over the human rights situation in Kashmir.
They also discussed the communication restrictions put in place in Kashmir.
The group demanded that India “rescind” its actions in Kashmir and reiterate its commitment to abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
It also said India should allow access to Jammu and Kashmir to human rights organisations and international media to ascertain and report on the situation there.
The statement “expressed grave concern that India’s actions aim to change the identity and demographic composition of the occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to transform it from a Muslim-majority state into Hindu-majority territory.”
The Contact Group on Jammu&Kashmir was formed in 1994 to coordinate the OIC policy on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Members are Turkey, Azerbaijan, Niger, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
The meeting also welcomed a statement by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Aug. 8, which affirmed that the UN position on the issue is governed by the UN Charter, and successive Security Council resolutions.
The OIC statement “affirmed that Indian actions are inconsistent with international law, applicable UN Security Council resolutions and India’s own solemn commitments to implement UNSC resolutions.”
India asserts that the abrogation of Article 370 is its “internal matter”.