Indian-held Kashmir: OIC body urges India to provide access to mission

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) has urged the Indian government to provide access to the Commission's fact-finding mission for independent investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses in the occupied Kashmir.
The delegation of IPHRC of the OIC, on the invitation of the government of Pakistan, undertook a three-day visit to Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from March 27-29, 2017.
The delegation was led by the Chairperson Med Kaggwa and comprised the Commission members Dr Rashid Al Balushi, Dr Raihanah Binti Abdullah, Ambassador Abdul Wahab, Dr Ergin Ergul, Professor Saleh Al Khathlan and Dr Oumar Abbou Abba.
During its visit, according to statement issued here by the Foreign Office, the IPHRC delegation met the political leadership, government officials, Kashmiri refugees from IoK, media and civil society with the objective to (a) assess the human rights and humanitarian situation in IoK; (b) investigate and report upon the allegations of human rights abuses by the Indian security forces in IoK and; (c) make recommendations to protect the fundamental human rights of the innocent Kashmiris.
In compliance with the mandate given by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), the Commission regularly monitors the human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and has specifically established a standing mechanism for the purpose.
To report on the situation in an independent and objective manner, the statement added that the Commission has made a specific request to the government of India to facilitate a fact-finding visit to observe the situation on ground to which no response has been received yet. While remaining hopeful for a positive Indian response to its longstanding request, the Commission undertook a visit to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, it added.
Having met the refugees, representatives of political parties and civil society from IOK as well as victims of cross-border shelling in AJK, the statement added that the Commission took note of the serious and widespread complaints of the gross human rights violations by the Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris, which have also been regularly reported by various independent sources including international human rights organisations.
The IPHRC delegation also expressed deep concern over the reports of continuous violations of the right to life, right to freedom of expression and opinion, right to peaceful protest and assembly and other fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people including denial of their inalienable right to self-determination, guaranteed by international human rights law and promised by various UN Security Council resolutions.
In the same breath, it expressed serious concern over reports of increase in the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against unarmed and innocent civilians and human rights activists by the Indian security forces with impunity, resulting in torture, extrajudicial killings, rape and mass blinding through use of pellets guns.
The Commission observed that the use of restrictive and discriminatory laws by Indian security forces such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act is contrary to the international human rights standards. "These laws grant sweeping powers to the security forces to detain, torture and even kill suspects without any fear of investigation. Also, the Kashmiri people are denied basic rights of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of expression and religion," the statement stated, adding that there are widespread curfews and curbs on religious congregations for fear of protests and people have legitimate security concerns regarding protection of their right to life and dignity.
In line with the principled position of the OIC, the Commission reaffirmed its principled support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for realisation of their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.