OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir Asserts Support During 15th Summit in Gambia

On May 5, 2024, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir convened on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit in Banjul, The Gambia. The meeting aimed to review the ongoing political and security situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as well as address the dire human rights conditions in the region.

The session was chaired by Yousaf Al-Dobeay, the Assistant Secretary General (Political Affairs) of the OIC and the Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir. Member states including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Niger, and Azerbaijan were in attendance. The meeting also featured a delegation of the True Representatives of the Kashmiri People and senior officials from the OIC-Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission.

Pakistan’s delegation, led by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, played a pivotal role in the discussions. Dar provided a comprehensive briefing on India’s continuous efforts to undermine the rights of Kashmiris, emphasizing how these actions are aimed at transforming the Kashmiri community into a disempowered minority within their own land. He highlighted the systematic denial of fundamental rights and freedoms to the Kashmiri people by the Indian authorities, who have fostered an environment of fear and repression to stifle dissent in the IIOJK.

Dar also urged the international community to recognize and respond to provocative statements and unwarranted territorial claims made by Indian leaders concerning Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), which pose a significant threat to regional stability and peace.

The participants of the OIC Contact Group strongly condemned India’s actions in the region, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the lifting of restrictions on outlawed political parties. They demanded the revocation of the unilateral and illegal measures enacted on August 5, 2019, which have led to demographic changes and political manipulation in IIOJK. Furthermore, the group called for the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions that support the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Delegates from various member states reiterated their support for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue as per the UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri populace. The strong stance taken by the OIC underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peacefully advocating for the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting’s outcomes highlight the OIC’s continued dedication to addressing the Kashmir conflict and supporting the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people. By condemning India’s repressive policies and advocating for international intervention, the OIC Contact Group reaffirms its role as a crucial platform for voicing the concerns and aspirations of the Kashmiri people on the global stage.