Archive · 7 Aug 2026
UN Reaffirms Kashmir Dispute Stance Amid PoK Protests
The United Nations (UN) is a group where countries try to solve big problems together.
A journalist recently asked the UN about Kashmir, a region in South Asia.
Two countries, India and Pakistan, both claim Kashmir, and they disagree about it.
The UN said that very old agreements about Kashmir, made back in 1949, are still important.
The UN also said the people of Kashmir should get to help decide what happens to their home.
In the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan, many people are upset.
They are protesting because daily life is expensive and they feel they are being treated unfairly.
The UN says at least 100 people have died during these protests.
It asked everyone to stay calm and to investigate what happened fairly.
It also urged the leaders involved to talk and find a peaceful solution.
The UN said Kashmir remains a dispute between Pakistan and India and that no solution can be legitimate without the participation of the region's people.
Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the Security Council resolutions on Kashmir dating back to 1949 have not changed.
The response came after Palestinian journalist Abdul Hamid asked about UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's position on India's abrogation of Article 370.
India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of the country and rejects third-party mediation.
At least 100 civilians have been killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir since last month, and UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has called for calm and impartial investigations.
- Who
- Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, responding to Palestinian journalist Abdul Hamid; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also spoke on the unrest.
- What
- The UN reaffirmed that Kashmir is a dispute between Pakistan and India and cited Security Council resolutions dating back to 1949 that have not changed.
- When
- The response came amid ongoing protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that began last month; Volker Turk's statement on the unrest was made on 17 July.
- Where
- United Nations, regarding India's Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
- Why
- A journalist asked about the UN Secretary-General's position on India's move to abrogate Article 370, and deadly unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir raised human rights concerns.
India's Position
UN and Pakistan-Aligned Position
Kashmir's Status
India's Position
India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and firmly rejects third-party mediation or internationalisation of the issue.
UN and Pakistan-Aligned Position
The UN, echoing the Pakistan-aligned narrative, says Kashmir is a dispute between Pakistan and India and that no solution could be legitimate without the participation of the region's people, citing Security Council resolutions from 1949.
Handling of PoK Protests
India's Position
The UN says Pakistan's ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee, the arrest of its leaders, and restrictions on gatherings and internet access violate rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and it calls for impartial investigations into the deaths.
UN and Pakistan-Aligned Position
Pakistani authorities have carried out a security-force crackdown on protesters, with at least 100 civilians killed since last month, and have banned the Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terrorism laws and arrested its leaders.
- UN Stance
- Kashmir is a dispute between Pakistan and India; no legitimate solution without the people's participation
- Security Council Resolutions
- Resolutions dating back to 1949 concerning Kashmir's status have not changed
- UNCIP Resolution
- Passed on January 5, 1949, providing for a free and impartial plebiscite in Kashmir
- India's Position
- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India; rejects third-party mediation
- Civilian Deaths in PoK
- At least 100 killed by security forces since last month
- UN Human Rights Chief
- Volker Turk, called on 17 July for calm and impartial investigations into deaths
- JAAC Ban
- Pakistan banned the Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terrorism laws and arrested its leaders