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UN Urges Probe Into Deaths in Pakistani-Administered Kashmir Unrest

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The UN human rights chief urged Pakistan to investigate recent deadly unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
  • At least 31 people have died in clashes since June, ahead of regional elections.
  • The unrest involves a dispute over reserved legislative seats for Kashmiri refugees, with a group demanding their abolition.

The United Nations human rights chief has called for an independent investigation into deadly unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where at least 31 people have been killed in clashes since June. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged Islamabad to launch “prompt, thorough and impartial investigations” into all civilian and security force deaths. The unrest, involving the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), centers on a legal dispute over legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The JAAC demands the abolition of these seats, arguing they allow non-residents to influence local political outcomes.

prompt, thorough and impartial investigations

— Volker TurkThe UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Islamabad to launch these investigations into all civilian and security force deaths.

UN officials expressed alarm over Pakistan’s decision to classify the JAAC as a proscribed “terrorist” organization, warning that using anti-terror mechanisms to criminalize peaceful assembly and enforce internet blackouts raises severe freedom of association concerns. The crisis has amplified the diplomatic feud between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim the disputed Himalayan territory. The violence escalated on July 14 during clashes in the Poonch division, where security forces attempted to clear roadblocks ahead of a planned JAAC “long march.” This resulted in nine deaths, including seven civil activists and two law enforcement officers.

Police and security officials responded in self-defence.

— Waheed KhanThe Poonch Divisional Commissioner defended state actions during the violence, stating protesters had blocked a security convoy and attacked officials.

Defending the state's actions, Poonch Divisional Commissioner Waheed Khan told Reuters that protesters had blocked a security convoy and attacked officials, with police and security forces responding in self-defense. In New Delhi, India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the unrest was a “direct consequence of Pakistan’s decades-long systemic exploitation” of the region. Turk has appealed for immediate calm and called for “meaningful and inclusive political dialogue” to address grievances regarding regional autonomy and inflation.

direct consequence of Pakistan’s decades-long systemic exploitation

— Randhir JaiswalThe Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson commented on the unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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