During the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, the contact group meeting of the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) was held, in which the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed. The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and senior officials of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Niger. The session was chaired by OIC general secretary Hussain Brahim Taha, while a Kashmiri delegation was also present. The participants reviewed the political and security situation of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed concern over the human rights conditions in the region.
Discussion on Kashmir issue
Fatimi, a special assistant in foreign affairs of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said that permanent peace in South Asia is associated with the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He demanded the release of political prisoners and urged OC to put creative pressure on India.
Oic trend
OC welcomed the recent ceasefire (ceasefire) between India and Pakistan and appreciated the mediation efforts. The organization said that recent events show that it is difficult to find permanent peace in the area without resolving the Kashmir dispute. It was also underlined in the meeting that peace efforts could be affected by the provocative statements of regional leaders.
Comment on arrests and restrictions
OC expressed concern over the large-scale arrests of political and human rights activists in Jammu and Kashmir. The organization termed the sanctions imposed on religious meetings in Jamia Mosque and Idgah in Srinagar as unfair. OC once again rejected the decisions of the Government of India and the subsequent demographic changes on 5 August 2019. At the same time, the organization said that the electoral process conducted in Kashmir cannot be an alternative to the right to self -determination of the Kashmiri people.