UN Calls For Investigation Into Alleged Rights Violations In PoK Before Polls
The UN human rights office has voiced serious concerns over the ban on the JAAC protest group and fatal clashes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, calling for an independent investigation and dialogue before upcoming assembly elections.
Islamabad: The unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has caught the attention of the United Nations. The UN human rights agency has raised serious concerns over the situation in PoK and called for independent investigations into the deaths of protesters and security personnel. Tensions in the region are rising sharply ahead of assembly elections scheduled for July 27.
What had the UN said?
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued a statement from Geneva on Friday. He appealed for calm and called for an immediate and independent probe into all deaths that have occurred during the unrest. According to the UN, dozens of people have been killed since June. Most of those killed were protesters. Some security personnel also died in the clashes.
Why is banning JAAC deeply worrying?
Turk specifically raised concerns regarding the ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the group leading protests in PoK. Pakistan slapped the ban on JAAC under its anti-terrorism laws, citing threats to public order and security. Several JAAC leaders have been arrested. The UN human rights office said that declaring a civil society organization criminal and restricting people from gathering sends the wrong message entirely. It further added that, such actions raise serious concerns about the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
What had UN agency asked?
The UN agency asked Pakistani and PoK authorities to ensure that all detained JAAC leaders have access to lawyers, can contact their families and receive full due process under the law. The internet shutdown in the region also came under criticism. The agency called on local authorities to immediately restore full internet access across the area. Turk also pushed for meaningful and inclusive political dialogue to address the genuine grievances of the local population.
What is driving the protests?
Demonstrations in PoK have been building over multiple issues. Economic hardship, rising prices and disputes over reservation of seats in the assembly are the main triggers. JAAC has placed a 38-point demand list before the Pakistani government covering governance reforms, price controls and several other issues. The protests have turned violent repeatedly and with elections just weeks away, the situation shows no sign of settling down.
