Iyad Madani

The world’s largest bloc of Muslim countries expressed concern Saturday over human rights violations in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which has seen weeks of deadly clashes between protesters and police.

Iyad Madani, secretary-general of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said at a news conference in Islamabad that the situation in Kashmir was deteriorating and urged the international community to act.

“The situation is getting worse rather than better and this cannot continue,” Madani said after meeting with Sartaj Aziz, the foreign affairs adviser to Pakistan’s prime minister.

“We should not be afraid of a referendum,” Madani said, adding that it was up to the Kashmiri people to decide their future.

Standing next to him at the news conference, Aziz accused Indian forces of using lethal force against Kashmiris protesting peacefully over extrajudicial killings. He said a peaceful solution to the dispute over the region “is an imperative for regional peace and stability.”