NEW YORK: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has reaffirmed its support for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions during a meeting at the United Nations headquarters.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, Sardar Taj Khan, Senior Vice Chairman of the Kashmir Mission USA, and Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru, the OIC Permanent Observer to the United Nations.
During the discussion, Ambassador Opeloyeru reiterated the OIC’s long standing support for the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people and said the organization continues to back a peaceful settlement through dialogue and international law.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai highlighted what he described as the deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir, citing concerns over demographic changes, restrictions on civil liberties, arbitrary detentions and limits on freedom of expression. He called for greater international engagement, independent fact finding and the implementation of relevant UN resolutions on the right to self determination.
Sardar Taj Khan urged the OIC to raise the issue of Kashmiri political prisoners, including Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Masarat Alam, Aasiya Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, at international forums.
Ambassador Opeloyeru assured the delegation that their proposals would be conveyed to OIC headquarters and discussed at upcoming meetings of the OIC Kashmir Contact Group and on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
