OIC panel asks India to end repressive security operations in Kashmir

JEDDAH: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday called on India to immediately stop the “repressive security operations” against the people of state.

The emergency meeting held at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah was called ahead of the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Minsters being held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The OIC condemned the Indian incursion and aerial violation and dropping of four bombs today, 26 February 2019. It urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid any steps that would endanger peace and security in the region,” the OIC tweeted.

“The meeting was chaired, on behalf of the Secretary-General by Assistant Secretary-General Amb Hameed A. Opeloyeru, and attended by Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Tehmina Janjua, and the Permanent Representatives of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Niger as well as the President of Pakistan Administered Kashmir Masood Khan,” a statement issued by OIC said.

The statement said, “In his opening remarks, speaking on behalf of the OIC Secretary General, the Assistant Secretary-General strongly condemned the recent wave of repression, brutal killing of innocent Kashmiri civilians by the Indian forces.”

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“They called on India to immediately stop repressive security operations against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, respect the fundamental and basic human rights and address the dispute in accordance with the relevant OIC and United Nations Security Council resolutions on the subject as well as the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, the principle of self-determination and human right,” the statement said.

“The Contact Group called on the OIC and the UN Secretaries-General to use their good offices to put an end to the dangerous escalation by India, which threatens regional peace and security. It was underscored that priority should be given to peace and dialogue,” the OIC statement said.