The United Nations has raised alarms regarding the challenging security environment in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. A spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the necessity for accountability if individuals have been harmed for participating in peaceful demonstrations. These comments arrive during a period of ongoing unrest in the region, pertaining to contentious refugee seats and allegations of rigging during elections that commenced at the end of July.

As protests escalated, security forces reportedly conducted a crackdown. Activist groups and the Pakistani government have provided conflicting accounts concerning the casualty figures. Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq reiterated the Secretary-General’s support for the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and expressed hope that appeals for calm would be heeded.

Haq highlighted the importance of allowing peaceful protests everywhere, stating that accountability is essential if people have been harmed during such demonstrations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

High Commissioner Calls for Independent Inquiry

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued a statement on July 17, voicing serious concerns about the emerging situation. He advocated for a thorough, impartial investigation into the fatalities occurring among protesters, which have reportedly followed the ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the detention of its leaders. Last month, he appealed for calm as regional elections approached, acknowledging rising tensions.

Turk’s statement indicated that since June, numerous individuals—predominantly protesters as well as law enforcement personnel—had been reported killed. He called for swift investigations into all deaths related to the unrest, emphasising the need for accountability concerning both protesters and security personnel.

The protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have been largely motivated by disputes over twelve contentious refugee seats. The JAAC claims these seats are manipulated by the establishment to enable the installation of a government aligned with its interests. Allegedly, over 40 individuals lost their lives during the initial phase of polling on July 27, while the JAAC asserts that approximately 400 protesters have died since early June. The government’s response dismisses these assertions as exaggerated.

Government Denies Claims of High Casualties

The JAAC is a coalition encompassing various activist groups, such as traders, transporters, students, and lawyers, which has been banned under anti-terrorism regulations for allegedly jeopardising public safety and order. The legislative assembly in the region comprises 53 seats, out of which 45 are directly elected and eight are reserved for women, technocrats, and clergy. Elections for these seats are occurring in three phases, with the first and second phases marred by violence and protests.

The Shehbaz Sharif administration has refuted the JAAC’s claims regarding the casualty figures since June, labelling such numbers as overly inflated. An adviser to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah, stated in a recent television interview that the death toll in the protests stands in the “two-digit” range and acknowledged that security personnel have also suffered fatalities.

India continues to assert that Jammu and Kashmir, alongside Ladakh, are integral parts of its territory, condemning Pakistan’s claims of occupation over these areas. On August 4, Indian officials characterised the local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as lacking validity, asserting that they distract from the pressing issues of public protests and violence perpetrated by Pakistani forces. The UN’s latest pronouncements have intensified international scrutiny on issues of unrest and calls for accountability in the region.

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