The OIC’s General Secretariat, in a statement has voiced deep concern over the pronouncement of life sentence to Yasin Malik, who has been leading a “peaceful freedom struggle”.

The organization expressed its solidarity with the Kashmir people in their struggle, and urged the international community not to equate the legitimate struggle for their rights with terrorism.

The statement called on the Indian Government to release “unfairly incarcerated” Kashmiri leaders, stop the systematic persecution of Kashmiris and respect their right to determine their future through plebiscite according to the UNSC resolutions.

Responding to media queries regarding the comments made by the OIC-IPHRC on the judgement against Malik, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Indian External Affairs Ministry urged the OIC not to justify “terrorism” in any manner. He said the world seeks “zero tolerance” against terrorism.

“Through these comments, OIC-IPHRC has implicitly expressed support for the terrorist activities of Yasin Malik, which were documented and presented in the court,” Bagchi said.