OIC human rights body condemns rising Islamophobia, repression in IOJK

Web Desk: The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued a forceful condemnation of the recent wave of Islamophobia, hate speech, and reprisal attacks targeting Muslims in India and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK), following the Pahalgam incident.

In a strongly worded statement, the Commission denounced the unprovoked violence and growing hostility toward Muslims, particularly by far-right Hindu nationalist groups scapegoating the community. The IPHRC urged an immediate, impartial international investigation into the attacks to ensure justice, accountability, and civilian protection.

Highlighting India’s obligations under international human rights treaties — including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) — the IPHRC called on India to uphold its commitments and protect minority populations from discrimination, hate speech, and violence.

The statement also addressed broader concerns in IOJK, firmly rejecting India's actions post-August 5, 2019 — including attempts to alter the region’s demographic composition, suppression of political freedoms, and denial of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination. The Commission demanded the restoration of fundamental freedoms in IOJK, release of political prisoners, and an end to what it termed “collective punishment.”

Crucially, the IPHRC called on the international community, including the United Nations, to intensify scrutiny of the situation. It appealed for the deployment of a UN fact-finding mission or a Commission of Inquiry to independently investigate human rights abuses in the region. It also called on India to allow access to IOJK by OIC and UN human rights observers.

Though not legally binding, the IPHRC’s declaration carries significant moral and diplomatic weight. It reinforces Pakistan’s position in international forums and lends momentum to global advocacy efforts pushing for justice and transparency in IOJK.

By grounding its critique in binding legal instruments and citing specific treaty articles, the IPHRC has strengthened the legal and diplomatic basis for international intervention and accountability.