'If people have been harmed...there needs to be accountability': UN over crackdown on peaceful protestors in PoJK
Geneva, August 8
The United Nations has called for accountability from authorities regarding the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that fundamental rights to peaceful assembly must be respected.
Responding to media queries during a UN press briefing regarding the ongoing situation and human rights concerns in the region, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq stated that authorities across all jurisdictions must respect the right to peaceful protest.
"The Secretary-General supports the work of his High Commissioner, and we certainly hope that the pleas made by Mr. Turk will be listened to," Haq said, referencing earlier concerns raised by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
Addressing specific calls for accountability over the actions taken by local authorities against peaceful demonstrators, Haq emphasised that any harm inflicted on protesters must be investigated.
"Well, 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," Haq asserted.
His remarks come after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, voiced serious concern over the escalating unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) earlier last month ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections, urging Pakistani authorities to exercise restraint, protect fundamental rights, and ensure accountability for reported violence.
In a press release, Turk appealed for calm as tensions continue to rise across the region.
According to the UN, dozens of people, including protesters and law enforcement personnel, have reportedly been killed since June during demonstrations linked to growing political unrest ahead of the elections.
The High Commissioner called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all reported deaths, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable regardless of whether the victims were protesters or members of the security forces.
Turk also expressed concern over Pakistan's decision to ban the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), the organisation leading the protest movement, under anti-terrorism laws. The JKJAAC, which includes traders, transporters, students, lawyers and civil society activists, was outlawed on allegations of threatening public order and security, while several of its leaders were subsequently arrested.
Calling for adherence to international human rights standards, the High Commissioner said detained JKJAAC leaders must be granted immediate access to legal counsel and their families. He emphasised that their rights to due process and a fair trial must be fully respected.
Additionally, addressing Islamabad's attempts to obscure its domestic turmoil, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the contrast between administrative progress within India and the severe repression carried out by Pakistani authorities against populations under its illegal control.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The international community is currently witnessing the brutal suppression of fundamental rights in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Recent weeks have seen Pakistani security forces resort to lethal violence, targeted killings, and draconian bans to silence peaceful civil rights protests led by the local populace. Such state-sponsored violence against unarmed civilians exposes the profound hypocrisy of the Pakistani establishment."
Calling out the regime in Islamabad for orchestrating diplomatic rhetoric while fostering cross-border militancy, Jaiswal urged Pakistan to address human rights violations in PoJK and relinquish occupied Indian territories.
"Instead of engaging in predictable diplomatic theatre, Pakistan would be well advised to stop the bloodshed in PoJK, take credible, verifiable, and irreversible action against terror networks operating from its soil, and immediately vacate all Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. The world is not fooled by these orchestrated spectacles," Jaiswal added.
Security forces in PoJK have killed dozens of protesters since June 2026, besides imposing an internet blackout and restricting foreign media access.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartening to see the UN taking a firm stance on this issue. The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right, and the crackdown on protesters in PoJK is a clear violation. The people of PoJK deserve justice, and Pakistan must be held accountable for its actions. I hope the international community doesn't just issue statements but actually follows through with concrete actions.
The MEA spokesperson hit the nail on the head - Pakistan's "diplomatic theatre" is just a smokescreen for its state-sponsored violence. While India is developing and progressing in its territory, Pakistan is busy suppressing its own people in PoJK. The world needs to see the reality: the people of PoJK are yearning for freedom from Pakistani occupation. This is their moment, and the UN must act decisively. 🇮🇳
While I agree that the crackdown on peaceful protesters is concerning, I think it's important to note that all governments have a responsibility to maintain public order. That said, the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians is never acceptable. I hope the UN's call for accountability is heeded, but I also hope that Pakistan ensures any investigations are transparent and independent.
This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black! Pakistan has been committing atrocities in PoJK for decades, and now they're banning peaceful organizations under anti-terror laws? The JKJAAC is just a group of traders, students, and lawyers - not terrorists. Pakistan's double standards are truly exposed now. India has always maintained that PoJK is an integral part of India, and incidents like these only reaffirm that the people there need to be liberated from Pakistani oppression.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.