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Dakar, SenegalTEXT OF THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY OIC

RESOLUTION NO. 5/11-P(IS) on THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR DISPUTE

The Eleventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference (Session of the Islamic Ummah in the 21st Century), held in Dakar, Republic of Senegal, from 6 to 7 Rabiul Awal 1429h (13-14 March 2008),

Reaffirming the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference and the UN Charter regarding the importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and recalling the UN resolutions relevant to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which remain unimplemented.

Recalling the Special Declarations on Jammu and Kashmir adopted by the 7th and 10th Sessions of the Islamic Summit Conference and the extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit held in Casablanca in 1994 and Islamabad in 1997 and all previous OIC resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, particularly Resolution 2/34-P, as well as the reports of the Ministerial and Summit Meetings of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and endorsing the recommendations contained therein.

Expressing concern at the alarming increase in the indiscriminate use of force and gross violation of human rights committed against innocent Kashmiris and regretting that India had not allowed the OIC Fact Finding Mission to visit Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir or responded favorably to the offer of the Good Offices Mission made by the OIC.

Noting with regret the Indian attempt to malign the legitimate Kashmiri freedom struggle by denigrating it as terrorism and appreciating the Kashmiris condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including state sponsored terrorism.

Taking note of the Memorandum submitted by the True Representatives of Jammu and Kashmir.

Encouraging and supporting the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India and welcoming the fact that the leaders of the two countries have agreed to build on convergences and narrow down divergences in the joint search for mutually acceptable options for a negotiated peaceful settlement of all issues between the two countries, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, in a sincere and purposeful manner.

Expressing the hope that India will reciprocate the spirit of flexibility being shown by Pakistan and work towards finding a just and peaceful final settlement to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.

Acknowledging that the Kashmiris are the principal party to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and that they must be associated with the Pakistan-India dialogue process.

Appreciating the timely and substantive response for relief and rehabilitation by the Government of Pakistan, OIC Member States, OIC Secretariat and the international community after the devastating earthquake that struck Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Pakistan on 8th October 2005.

Appreciating the initiative of the President of Pakistan following 8th October 2005 earthquake to open five crossing points on the LOC to facilitate the divided families of the region and facilitate relief and rehabilitation work.

Welcoming the historic decision by the governments of Pakistan and India to allow travel across the Line of Control (LOC) by bus between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar and between Rawlakot and Poonch, and trade by truck between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, without passport or visas.

Expressing Support for the work of the Special Representative of the OIC Secretary-General on Jammu and Kashmir and hoping that it would facilitate implementation of OICs decisions on Jammu and Kashmir and early resolution of this dispute.

Taking note of the Report of the Secretary General on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute (OIC/11th IS/Pol/SG-REP.2);

1. Calls for a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions and as agreed upon in the Simla Agreement.

2. Calls upon India to cease forthwith the gross and systematic human rights violations of the Kashmiri people and allow International Human Rights Groups and Humanitarian Organizations to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

3. Affirms that any political process/elections held under foreign occupation cannot be a substitute to the exercise of the right of self-determination by people of Kashmir as provided in the relevant Security Council Resolutions and reaffirmed in the Millennium Declaration of the UN General Assembly.

4. Supports the ongoing efforts of the Government of Pakistan to seek a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute through all possible means including substantive bilateral talks with India in accordance with the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

5. Notes with appreciation the improvement in Pak-India relations ensuing from Pakistan’s unilateral decision of cease-fire along the Line of Control (LOC).

6. Appeals to the Member States, OIC and other Islamic Institutions, such as the Islami2c Solidarity Fund, and philanthropists to mobilize funds and contribute generously towards providing humanitarian assistance to the Kashmiri people.

7. Requests the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund to provide the necessary financial resources to provide vocational training and higher education to Kashmiri refugees and entrusts the General Secretariat to submit appropriate proposals.

8. Calls for the expeditious implementation of the recommendations contained it in the report of the OIC mission led by Amb. Ezzet Kamel Mufti, Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir in March 2007.

9. Urges the Government of India, in the interest of regional peace and security,to avail itself of the offer of Good Offices made by the OIC and also allow the OIC Fact Finding Mission to visit the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

10. Recommends that Member States continue to coordinate their positions in international forums and mandates the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir Group to meet regularly alongside the session of the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council and the Sub-Commission on Prevention on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights as well as at the OIC Ministerial Meetings.

11. Decides to consider the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute at the 12th Session of the OIC Summit Conference.

12. Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the 35th Session of the Islamic Confere