OIC condemns Indian new domicile law for IOK

ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) on Saturday condemned the Indian government's new domicile law, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Order, 2020, saying it was a violation of international laws.

In a tweet, the IPHRC demanded India to stop human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir, abolish draconian laws and give the Kashmiris their right to self-determination. “The agency condemns the promulgation of illegal ‘Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Order 2020’ by India which is an attempt to alter demographic and geographic status of Indian Occupied Kashmir,” said the tweet. Calling it a violation of international laws and United Nations Security Council and OIC resolutions on the issue, the IPHRC asked India to repeal "draconian laws" and stop its human rights abuses in the region. The draconian Indian law allows an Indian citizen who has lived for 15 years in IOK the right of domicile.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had tweeted that Pakistan strongly condemn the racist Hindutva supremacist Modi govt's continuing attempts to illegally alter the demography of IOK in violation of all international laws & treaties.

“The new Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Order 2020 is a clear violation of the 4th Geneva Convention. Timing of this latest illegal action is particularly reprehensible because it seeks to exploit the international focus on COVID-19 pandemic to push forward BJP's Hindutva supremacist agenda. The UN & int comm must stop India's continuing violations of UNSC Resolutions & Int law,” he had tweeted. The Foreign Office had also condemned the Indian move. “The so-called ‘Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Order 2020’ is another illegal step by India to settle non-Kashmiris in IOK by changing the domicile laws. This is a clear violation of international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention,” said the Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office on Saturday said Pakistan, at the request of the government of Afghanistan, will allow Afghan nationals to return home. “At the special request of the government of Afghanistan and based on humanitarian considerations, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals in Pakistan wishing to go back to their country,” said the spokesperson at the Foreign Office. She pointed out that Torkham and Chaman land border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 6 to April 9 to facilitate Afghan nationals.

“As a neighbour and in view of fraternal bilateral relations, Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of the global pandemic,” she said.