Friday, 26 September 2008
September 25, 2008. OIC Kashmir Contact Group met at the United Nations headquarters New York on September 24, 2008. The meeting was chaired by Secretary General, Professor Ekmeleldin Ihsanoglu. He reiterated full support and solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and remarked, "After the new developments in Jammu and Kashmir reiterate the continued support of the organization to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. I condemned the use of force against the Kashmiri people and I called the Indian government to take immediate steps to end violence against innocent Kashmiris."
He referred to the visit of OIC Special envoy on Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Ezzat Kamal Mufti who visited Azad Kashmir as a mark of OIC's continuing solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
He said "OIC will continue to encourage India and Pakistan to sustain and push forward the peace process to resolve all outstanding issues in association with the Kashmiri people in a result oriented dialogue."
Pakistani foreign minister, Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi reiterated the solemn commitment of the promise of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He invoked the international community to redeem their support to the unfulfilled promise of self-determination and help in addressing the long festering issue because the benefits of the solution will be gigantic not only for India and Pakistan but for the region as well.
He referred to the CBM's but said a movement beyond these positive gestures is necessary for arriving at an honorable and just solution.
Turkish foreign minister, Mr. Ali Babajan pleaded for lasting settlement of the Kashmir problem and he hoped that India - Pakistan engagement will need fruitfully to a just and lasting solution in accordance with international legitimacy. In this context, he extended his complete support to the fifth round of talks taking place between India and Pakistan and hoped that it will lead to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, thus opening the channels for well being and prosperity in the region.
Saudi Arabian delegate reminded the group that his government supports implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and respect for human rights in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed his great concern for the human rights violations taking place in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
The Ambassador of Niger on behalf of his foreign minister endorsed the viewpoints on the Secretary General of OIC that his government was keen to have just and lasting peace in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He invoked the Secretary General to use his good offices with India not to use excessive force
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan thanked OIC for its consistent support of the Kashmir cause. He pleased with the OIC Contact Group to review the ground situation as well as the developments impacting the Kashmiri people.
The recent uprising in Occupied Kashmir ahs once again demonstrated wide spread revulsion of the Kashmiri people against the Indian occupation and their commitment to the right of self-determination, he said. He further reminded the Contact Group that Kashmir remain under occupation in defiance of the will of the Kashmiri people. The norms of justice, international law and Security Council resolutions have been violated.
Prime Minister concluded with the assertion that durable and lasting peace in South Asia depends on a just and fair resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Syed Faiz Hussain Naqashbandi, representative of the All Parties Hurrieyt Conference lamented the India continued to deny access to the occupied territory by the human frights organizations. Recent unrest and attacks on the lives of Muslims in the wake of Shri Amarnath land dispute was yet another example of the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. They had been subjected to a prolonged economic blockade.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz, senior leader of APHC and scores of other Kashmiris were killed by Indian army. This is yet another demonstration of Indian policies to crush the indigenous Kashmir struggles through state-sponsored violence.
Mr. Naqashbandi declared that elections are not a substitute of the right to self-determination. He however welcomed India-Pakistan dialogue process and asked OIC to put its weight behind the demand for inclusion of Kashmiri leaders in the talks.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center, Washington hailed the statement of the OIC Secretary General for expressing concern when peaceful protesters in the Valley were subjected to brute force. He appreciated the remarks made by Turkish foreign minister that the Kashmir dispute must be settled by India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.
Professor Nazir A. Shawl, Executive Director, Justice Foundation, London has appealed to OIC to prevent further bloodshed in the Sate of Jammu and Kashmir as it is being apprehended by some Kashmir watchers in India and use their good offices with Government of India and impress upon them that state violence on peaceful protesters is unacceptable. Ahmed Quraishi
