| FO says OIC-CFM criticised India’s massive human rights abuses in IoK | Urged Modi govt to ensure religious freedom in India
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad: Pakistan strongly rejects the totally untenable and irresponsible statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the unanimously adopted outcomes and resolutions of the 48th Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) held in Islamabad from 22-23 March.
The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah and the second-largest international organisation after the United Nations with 57 members and 6 observer states, according to an official statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The OIC has a long-standing principled position in support of the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination granted to them by the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
While refusing to implement the UNSC resolutions, India has for decades tried to suppress the voice of the Kashmiris through brutal and indiscriminate use of force and gross and systematic violations of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Besides, the ascendant BJP-RSS inspired ‘Hindutva’ ideology has restricted the space for minorities, especially Muslims, whose persecution under state patronage has become a norm in today’s India.
The OIC has accordingly condemned massive human rights abuses in IIOJK and once again firmly rejected India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 and subsequent steps aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied territory.
The OIC has also denounced the blatant and widespread discrimination, intolerance and violence against Muslims in India, and called upon India to ensure their rights including religious freedom.
The OIC has also inter alia expressed grave concern over the incident of 9 March, involving a supersonic missile launched into the territory of Pakistan from India.
Devoid of any logic or substance, the MEA statement reflects the frustration of a country that stands exposed and isolated. Instead of denying the historical facts and realities, attempting to mislead the international community through fictional claims over the disputed territory, and dismissing valid concerns as reflected in the OIC resolutions, India would be well-advised to pay heed, review its current behaviour, and act responsibly to urgently address those concerns.
