OIC expresses concern over 'human rights violation' in Jammu and Kashmir

A high-level delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) today expressed concern over alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and regretted that India refused it permission to visit the area.

The delegation of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission met Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the start of their visit to the country and the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Foreign Office said. It "expressed serious concern over the reports of grave human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir, the FO said.

They regretted that India did not respond to the request for a "fact-finding mission" to visit Kashmir, it claimed. Aziz "condemned the reprehensible Indian practice of using live ammunition and pellet guns" in Kashmir, the FO said. He hoped the visit would provide an opportunity to the IPHRC delegation to gain a better understanding of the Kashmir issue and urged the delegation to highlight the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, it said.