ISLAMABAD: Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Dr. Yousaf Ahmad Al-Othaimeen on Monday said that OIC will be pressing India to allow its Human Rights Commission to visit Occupied Kashmir.
He added that the OIC will keep pressure on New Delhi on the issue of human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He was addressing a joint news conference along with Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz following their talks in Islamabad on Monday. He said that OIC wass in full agreement with Pakistan over peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The OIC Secretary-General said his organization has same position as that of Pakistan on issues of Kashmir, Palestine, Islamophobia and plight of Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries.
Dr. Othaimeen thanked Pakistan for supporting programmes and caused espoused by OIC and said the two sides discussed holding of the upcoming summit of OIC on Science and Technology.
He said the OIC condemns all terrorist acts in Pakistan or any other country. He said terrorism is terrorism and it has no race or religion. He said we condemn terrorism no matter where it happens in the world as Islamic is religion of peace and co-existence.
The OIC Secretary-General said the two sides have vowed to work closely on all issues facing the Ummah.
Replying to a question he said Kashmir has always been on top of the agenda of OIC. He said the OIC has been urging India to provide access to Occupied Kashmir but unfortunately India has declined to accede to the request. He said India also opposed despatch of an OIC Human Rights Commission to Occupied Kashmir. The OIC Secretary-General said despite denial by India, we should keep pressure on New Delhi on the issue of human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
About conflict in Syria, he said it has two dimensions – political and humanitarian. He said OIC wants political solution of the problem and mobilizing support for refugees to alleviate their sufferings.
The OIC Secretary-General said the organization an OIC Contact Group on Refugees would hopefully be formed in next meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers.
He said OIC also wants to initiate dialogue with European countries on issues pertaining to Muslims living there as the organization is in a unique position to play the role of a bridge between Muslim communities and the host governments.
Sartaj Aziz thanked the OIC and the Muslim countries for their consistent support on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Advisor said he briefed the distinguished guest on human rights violation by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir.
