The United Nations has once again raised its voice over the deteriorating situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the urgent need for accountability in the wake of a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, underscored that authorities must respect the fundamental right to peaceful protest and investigate any harm inflicted upon civilians.

Haq reiterated that the Secretary-General fully supports the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who had earlier expressed grave concern over escalating unrest in the region. He emphasised that if people have been harmed while exercising their right to peaceful assembly, accountability is non-negotiable.

The remarks come against the backdrop of Turk’s repeated appeals for calm and restraint ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections in PoK. The UN has confirmed that dozens of people, including both protesters and law enforcement personnel, have been killed since June during demonstrations linked to political unrest. Turk has demanded impartial investigations into all reported deaths, insisting that perpetrators must face justice irrespective of their affiliation.

The High Commissioner has also criticised Pakistan’s decision to ban the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terrorism laws. The JKJAAC, comprising traders, transporters, students, lawyers and civil society activists, was outlawed on allegations of threatening public order.

Several of its leaders were arrested, raising alarm over violations of freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Turk has called for immediate access to legal counsel for detained leaders and full respect for due process and fair trial rights.

Concerns have also been raised over restrictions on internet access and foreign media coverage, which have severely curtailed the ability of citizens to communicate and share information. These blackouts have been described as disproportionate measures that undermine freedom of expression during a period of heightened tensions.

India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s actions, highlighting the stark contrast between Islamabad’s rhetoric and its brutal suppression of fundamental rights in PoK. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused Pakistani forces of resorting to lethal violence, targeted killings and draconian bans to silence peaceful protests. He described such state-sponsored violence as exposing the hypocrisy of the Pakistani establishment.

Jaiswal further urged Pakistan to cease its orchestrated diplomatic theatre and instead take credible, verifiable and irreversible action against terror networks operating from its soil.

He demanded that Islamabad vacate all Indian territories under its illegal occupation, stressing that the world is not deceived by Pakistan’s attempts to mask its domestic turmoil.

Security forces in PoK have killed dozens of protesters since June 2026, while imposing internet blackouts and restricting foreign media access. The international community continues to press for accountability, with watchdogs and rights groups warning that Pakistan’s actions represent a grave violation of international human rights standards.

ANI