UNITED NATIONS — Raising sharp concerns over the security apparatus and civil rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the United Nations has declared that authorities must be held strictly accountable if peaceful demonstrators are harmed while exercising their right to assembly.
Addressing press queries at UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, backed the recent appeals issued by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk regarding the deteriorating conditions in the region.
"The Secretary-General supports the work of his High Commissioner, and we certainly hope that the pleas made by Mr. Türk will be listened to," Haq stated during a daily media briefing. "It's important that all authorities everywhere allow for peaceful protest, and certainly that is the case here. If there have been people harmed for engaging in peaceful protest, there needs to be accountability for that."
Heavy-Handed Crackdown Ahead of Assembly Elections
The UN's intervention follows weeks of unrest across PoK ahead of regional legislative elections. Local populations, spearheaded by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) — an alliance representing traders, students, lawyers, and civil rights activists — have taken to the streets to demand civic rights and economic relief.
In response, Pakistani authorities launched a wide-ranging crackdown:
Fatalities & Injuries: Dozens of individuals, including civil protesters and security personnel, have been killed in violent clashes since June.
Banning Civil Groups: Authorities invoked anti-terrorism laws to outlaw the JAAC, accusing the coalition of destabilizing public order.
Digital Blackouts: Severe restrictions were imposed on internet connectivity and communications across the territory to stifle public coordination.
Mass Arrests: Scores of political organizers and activists were detained under stringent security laws.
UN Demands Impartial Probes and Unrestricted Internet
High Commissioner Volker Türk had previously urged calm and demanded an immediate, independent investigation into all fatalities associated with the demonstrations.
The UN rights chief urged Pakistani authorities to restore full internet access across the region immediately and release detained leaders. Furthermore, the global body urged authorities to initiate inclusive, meaningful political dialogue to address the long-standing socio-economic grievances of the local population rather than relying on military force.
