Islamabad: A delegation of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently on a visit to Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, today.

The Foreign Minister apprised the delegation about continued Indian atrocities and human rights violations in IIOJK. Torture, rape and sexual violence were employed as instruments of suppression and pellet guns were indiscriminately used, resulting in death, injuries and blinding. India’s Occupation Forces enjoyed complete impunity under draconian laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Several political leaders, activists, human rights defenders and journalists remain incarcerated even during pandemic. Despite using every single tool of oppression, India has failed to subjugate the Kashmiri people.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 in IIOJK were in gross violation of UNSC resolutions as well as commitments made by the Indian leadership to the Kashmiri people. Indian attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory were in violations of international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that the IPHRC visit was especially timely since it coincided with the with the completion of two years of Indian illegal actions of 5 August 2019.Foreign Minister Qureshi hailed the independence exhibited by IPHRC, in line with its mandate, by dispassionately exposing Indian atrocities in IIOJK.

In the past, IPHRC had issued a report and several statements highlighting the deplorable plight of Kashmiri people and India’s illegal and unilateral actions, while endorsing the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan highly appreciates the strong and consistent support provided by the OIC and its institutions to the Kashmir cause.