3 weeks ago
UN Demands Accountability for Protest Deaths in PoK
In a region called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, many people were peacefully protesting before an important vote.
The United Nations says that during these protests many people were hurt, and some even died.
The United Nations is a big group where countries work together to keep peace around the world.
Farhan Haq, a spokesperson for the UN, said that if peaceful protesters were harmed, there should be consequences for the people responsible.
Volker Türk, a UN official who works to protect human rights, asked for a fair and careful investigation into why people died.
Pakistan also stopped a protest group called the Joint Awami Action Committee from working and put its leaders in jail.
The UN said that cutting off the internet and stopping people from getting together is not fair.
It asked the authorities to turn the internet back on across the whole territory.
The UN hopes that Pakistan will listen and that leaders will talk with local people to solve the problems peacefully.
UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said there needs to be accountability if people were harmed for engaging in peaceful protest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all unrest-related deaths, including protesters and security forces.
Dozens of people, mostly protesters but also law enforcement personnel, have reportedly been killed since June ahead of the July 27 Legislative Assembly vote.
Pakistan banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the movement behind the protests, under anti-terrorism laws and arrested its leaders.
The UN urged authorities to ensure full Internet access throughout PoK and called for meaningful, inclusive political dialogue to address underlying grievances.
The UN also raised concerns over restrictions on internet access and public gatherings as violations of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
- Who
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's office, represented by Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
- What
- The UN demanded accountability and prompt, thorough, impartial investigations into deaths during a crackdown on peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a region in Jammu & Kashmir
- When
- Unrest has been reported since June ahead of the July 27 Legislative Assembly vote; Türk's statement was issued last month, and Haq responded on a Friday.
- Why
- Because dozens of people were reportedly killed amid unrest before regional elections, and the UN says peaceful protesters who were harmed must get justice and underlying grievances must be addressed.
United Nations View
Pakistani Authorities' Reported Position
Crackdown on protesters
United Nations View
There must be accountability if people were harmed for engaging in peaceful protest, and all deaths should be investigated promptly, thoroughly and impartially.
Pakistani Authorities' Reported Position
The JAAC was banned under anti-terrorism laws for allegedly threatening public order and security, and its leaders were arrested.
Internet and assembly restrictions
United Nations View
Restrictions on internet access and public gatherings violate the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and full Internet access should be ensured throughout the territory.
Pakistani Authorities' Reported Position
The articles do not quote the authorities' own justification for the reported restrictions on internet access and public gatherings.
Key facts
- UN Secretary-General
- Antonio Guterres
- UN spokesperson
- Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Volker Türk
- Reported deaths
- Dozens killed since June, mostly protesters but also law enforcement personnel
- Election
- Legislative Assembly vote scheduled for July 27
- Banned group
- Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), banned under anti-terrorism laws
- Composition of JAAC
- Traders, transporters, students, lawyers, activists and others
- UN demands
- Accountability, impartial investigations, full Internet access and inclusive political dialogue
- Location
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
Quotes
Volker Türk
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
“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.”
freepressjournal.in
theprint.in
“We urge the authorities to ensure full Internet access throughout the territory.”
theprint.in
Sources
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