Key points
- Forum calls for protection of fundamental freedoms of Muslims in India
- Says hate-driven violence against Muslims fuelled by far-right Hindu nationalist groups
- IPHRC rejects “unilateral and illegal actions taken by India since August 5, 2019,” in IIOJK
ISLAMABAD: The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed deep concerns over the alarming rise in Islamophobia, hate- motivated violence and targeted attacks against Muslim communities in India and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in the aftermath of Pahalgam incident.
The forum has called for the protection of the rights and fundamental freedoms of Muslims in India.
“The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expresses profound concern and condemnation regarding disturbing reports from international media which suggested an increase in hate speech, targeted reprisal attacks, and acts of violence both online and offline, against Muslims in various parts of India, as well as Kashmiri Muslims in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK),” a statement issued by the body said.
“Wrongfully blame Muslims”
The communique further said, “The reported incidents of hate-driven violence against Muslims appear to be fuelled by far-right Hindu nationalist groups, which wrongfully blame Muslims” for the recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam district of IIOJK.
While the commission offered its condolences for the loss of civilian lives in the Pahalgam incident, it reaffirmed that such unprovoked acts of violence against innocent civilians were violations of human rights and human dignity.
The commission called for a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident and urged all to respect the sanctity of human life and ensure the protection of civilians at all times.
“Unfounded scapegoating”
“The Commission is deeply concerned about the unfounded scapegoating of Muslim communities in India following the Pahalgam incident. This represents a harmful attempt by far-right Hindu nationalists to incite communal violence. Such actions are exacerbated by lack of accountability and the growing systemic and systematic normalisation of anti-Muslim rhetoric,” the OIC body said.
It is important to note that India is home to over 200 million Muslims, who constitute nearly 14 per cent of the country’s population.
IPHRC also said the protection of the rights and fundamental freedoms of Muslim minorities is a binding obligation for India under international human rights law. “Key instruments in this regard include Articles 2, 18, 26, and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 2(2) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD),” the forum said.
Hatred and violence
These human rights instruments guarantee the right to life and dignity, freedom of religion or belief, protection against discrimination, and freedom from incitement to hatred and violence, the statement said, adding that it required states to avoid discriminatory practices and take proactive steps to protect minorities from violence, systemic exclusion, hate speech and marginalisation.
“To address the increasing Islamophobia and incidents motivated by hate, the Commission urges the Government of the Republic of India to fulfill its obligations under international human rights law. It is essential to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding and peaceful Muslim communities by implementing concrete measures at all levels to halt the cycle of violence and hatred, prevent its recurrence, and bring those who commit hate crimes against Muslims to justice.” The commission also called on the international community, United Nations human rights mechanisms including Special Procedures, to closely monitor the situation and take necessary actions to protect the rights and dignity of Muslims in India.
“Unilateral and illegal”
“In regard to the human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Commission’s Standing Mechanism to Monitor the Situation of Human Rights in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir” reaffirms its rejection of the unilateral and illegal actions taken by India since August 5, 2019. These actions aimed to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory, violating international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions and denying Kashmiri Muslims their inalienable right to self-determination.”
“Fact-finding mission”
The commission reiterated its call for the establishment of an international fact-finding mission or commission of Inquiry under the auspices of the United Nations to investigate human rights violations in IIOJK and to independently verify and report on the human rights situation.
Furthermore, it urged the United Nations and the international community to press India to abide by the relevant UN Security Council and OIC resolutions by refraining from any administrative and legislative measures that would alter the geographical and demographic status of IIOJK.
It also urged to “restore all fundamental freedoms of the Kashmiri Muslims, cease all forms of collective punishment, release all political prisoners, and repeal discriminatory laws; Allow the UN, OIC-IPHRC, and other human rights organizations to visit IOJK to assess and report on the human rights situation; Enable the people of Kashmir to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through a free and fair referendum, as stipulated in the relevant UN Security Council and OIC resolutions.”
