Pakistan sought UN intervention regarding alleged human rights violations in Kashmir amidst renewed OIC calls for India to reverse its 2019 status revocation. Ambassador Munir Akram highlighted these issues in correspondence with UN representatives. Both countries maintain conflicting narratives about the Kashmir situation as the conflict continues to attract international attention.
On February 5, 2023, Pakistan urged the United Nations to address alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir. This appeal came as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reiterated its call for India to reverse its 2019 decision that revoked the region’s special constitutional status. The Kashmir conflict has been a major point of contention between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both countries controlling portions of the territory but claiming it in its entirety.
Pakistan accuses India of violating human rights in Kashmir and denies Kashmiris their right to self-determination, while India contends that Pakistan supports militancy in the region. In response to India’s revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy in 2019, Pakistan downgraded their diplomatic ties. Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan delivered a letter to the UN, highlighting human rights concerns and calling for decisive measures to uphold UN resolutions regarding Kashmir.
The OIC also expressed its position, denouncing India’s actions since August 5, 2019, which they believe alter the region’s demographic composition. Pakistan’s observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day included statements from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, both underscoring the need for dialogue with India and expressing hope for Kashmir’s integration into Pakistan.
The Jammu and Kashmir region, envisioned as an autonomous area post-1947, has continuously faced complex geopolitical challenges. The revocation of its special status by India in 2019 not only heightened tensions between India and Pakistan but also escalated international scrutiny regarding human rights in the region. The OIC, which unites numerous Muslim-majority states, plays a significant role in amplifying Pakistan’s claims and concerns over Kashmir in global forums, including the UN.
Pakistan’s recent outreach to the UN and the OIC’s reiteration of its stance signal ongoing international dimensions of the Kashmir conflict. The historical grievances over human rights violations and self-determination remain central to the discourse. Both parties continue to engage diplomatically, emphasizing dialogue while their divergent views on Kashmir persist.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
