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Key Points

Violent clashes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have resulted in nine deaths amid ongoing protests. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has released a 38-point charter demanding basic rights and economic reforms. Pakistani authorities have imposed a complete communication blackout, cutting off millions from the outside world. JK-JAAC leaders accuse state forces of indiscriminate firing and violating international human rights agreements.

Key Points: PoK Human Rights Violations Continue Amid Kashmir Protests

  • Nine people killed in violent clashes between protesters and police across PoK towns
  • JK-JAAC demands restoration of flour subsidy and control of inflation
  • Complete communication blackout enforced cutting off millions from outside world
  • State forces accused of indiscriminate firing killing unarmed civilians
  • 38-point charter calls for end to unjust taxes and job reservations
  • Pakistani media criticized for spreading false narratives about protests
  • Highway blockades create shortages of essential goods and fuel
  • Movement rooted in unimplemented charter despite government commitments
3 min read

Gross violation of human rights continues in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir

PoK faces violent crackdowns with 9 dead, communication blackouts, and UN rights violations as JK-JAAC demands justice through 38-point charter.

"These actions are not only a gross violation of human rights but also a clear breach of the United Nations Charter - Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri"

Islamabad, Oct 11

In the wake of recent violent clashes across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JK-JAAC), a coalition of traders, lawyers, and civil society groups, recently unveiled a 38-point charter outlining a wide range of demands, a report cited.

The unrest between the protesters and police in several towns and districts, including Mirpur, Kotli, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, and Muzaffarabad, has left nine people dead, including police officers

According to the report in the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), the demands in the 38-point charter include the restoration of a flour subsidy and control of inflation, the end of privileges available to judges and civil servants, the withdrawal of unjust taxes, and the reservation of jobs for Kashmiris in the federal government of Pakistan.

Additionally, it called for financial aid for traders, cancellation of the PoK Bank's merger with the State Bank of Pakistan, the abolition of toll plazas, a ban on timber smuggling and the construction of hostels for students in different towns.

Earlier on October 2, JK-JAAC Core Committee member, Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, issued an urgent appeal to the international media and global human rights organisations, calling for immediate attention to the ongoing crisis in PoK.

“Since September 29, a peaceful public movement has been met with state repression, human rights violations, restrictions on civil liberties, and the killing of innocent civilians. According to Nazir, state forces and non-local personnel have carried out indiscriminate firing, killing at least nine unarmed civilians and injuring hundreds more,” read the statement issued by the JK-JAAC.

According to the statement, since September 28, the Government of Pakistan has enforced a complete communication blackout across PoK, suspended mobile networks, internet, and landline connections, effectively cutting off millions of people from the outside world.

“Inter-provincial highways have been blocked to deliberately create shortages of essential goods, food, and fuel, while cases are being registered against JK-JAAC leaders, activists, and journalists,” it stated.

“These actions,” Nazir said, “are not only a gross violation of human rights but also a clear breach of the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee every individual the right to life, liberty, peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.”

Highlighting the peaceful and constitutional nature of the ongoing struggle, Nazir reaffirmed that the “JK-JAAC's movement is rooted in the 38-point Charter of Demands submitted months ago, which remains unimplemented despite the government's commitment in December 2024 to act upon 12 of its key points.”

The JK-JAAC condemned the attempts by elements of the Pakistani establishment and non-state forces to crush a peaceful movement, calling them violations of both the right to self-determination and fundamental UN principles and the Geneva Conventions.

Nazir strongly criticised sections of the Pakistani media “for spreading false and misleading narratives to conceal ground realities from Pakistan's 250 million citizens and the international community.”

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
When will Pakistan stop this oppression? Cutting off internet and blocking highways to create shortages - this is state terrorism. The 38-point charter seems reasonable - flour subsidy, job reservations for locals, controlling inflation. Basic demands of any citizen.
D
David E
As someone who has worked in humanitarian aid, the communication blackout is particularly concerning. It prevents accurate reporting and humanitarian assistance. The international community needs to pressure Pakistan to restore communications immediately.
A
Arjun K
This shows the true face of Pakistan's administration in PoK. While they lecture others about human rights, they're committing atrocities in their own backyard. The world needs to see this reality. #StandWithKashmiris
S
Sarah B
While I condemn the violence, I hope our media covers this with balanced reporting. Sometimes we get carried away with anti-Pakistan sentiment and miss the human tragedy aspect. These are ordinary people suffering - they need our empathy more than our politics.
V
Vikram M
The demand for job reservations for Kashmiris in federal government makes complete sense. Why should locals be sidelined in their own land? Pakistan has systematically exploited PoK resources while denying basic rights to its people. Shameful!

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