UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday urged calm and restraint amid escalating unrest ahead of regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, emphasizing the need for impartial investigations into protest-related deaths and fir renewed political dialogue to address longstanding grievances.
Türk expressed concern over increasing violence in the region as tensions continue to rise before elections scheduled for July 27. He urged all parties to refrain from further escalation and emphasized that authorities must ensure security measures comply with international human rights standards, including respecting the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
The unrest centers upon the issue of 12 seats in the Legislative Assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees who migrated to Pakistan following the 1947 partition and now reside outside Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The conflict in Kashmir stems from the 1947 partition of India the subsequent clash over control of the territory, which has resulted in decades of political instability, military conflicts, and accusations of widespread discrimination. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has led the recent demonstrations, argues that the arrangement allows Pakistan-based political parties to influence the region’s government while diverting development resources intended for residents of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Last month, the region’s High Court ruled that the reserved seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. The decision prompted the JAAC to intensify its protest campaign, arguing that the existing electoral framework undermines local representation and accountability.
According to authorities, at least 28 people, including law enforcement officers, have been killed since protests began on June 4, while 79 others have been injured. Officials said approximately 4,000 police officers and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the region.
The UN and Amnesty International have called for prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into all deaths that occurred during the unrest, urging authorities to ensure accountability for any human rights violations committed in connection with the demonstrations. Both organizations have also emphasized the need for meaningful political dialogue to address the underlying grievances of the local population and urged all parties to exercise restraint ahead of the July 27 elections.
