Source: UN News: Thursday, July 23, 2026 00:00 AM
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has appealed for peace in Pakistan-administered Kashmir amid rising tensions ahead of regional elections. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has appealed for restraint and reduced tensions ahead of elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir this month. Tweet URL
According to reports, dozens of people have died since June in the ongoing protests ahead of the assembly elections to be held on July 27. Most of them are protesters, while some security personnel have also been killed.United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHRAccording to Jeremy Lawrence, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate, comprehensive and impartial investigation into all deaths during the protests. Serious concerns over rights violations The protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir are being led by the Joint People’s Action Committee (JAAC), which includes traders, transport workers, students, lawyers, civil society activists and other groups. The government described the committee as an alleged threat to public order and security. Banned under laws. Many of its leaders have also been arrested. The High Commissioner for Human Rights said that criminalizing a civil society organization and imposing stringent restrictions on public meetings raises serious concerns about fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. He said that the detained leaders should be given full facilities to meet their lawyers and families. Along with their legal rights, fair judicial process and transparent trial should also be ensured. Appealing to remove internet restrictions, Volker Turk also termed the restrictions imposed on the internet in the region as worrying. He said that these impose unreasonable restrictions on people’s right to receive and disseminate information, especially at a time when there is already tension in the region. The High Commissioner for Human Rights appealed for full restoration of internet services in the region. He also urged for meaningful and inclusive political dialogue to resolve core problems and grievances