Protests against the killing of innocent civilians by Pakistani forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are reaching Italy. Thousands of members of the Kashmiri diaspora held a protest march in the Italian city of Bologna. This protest comes at a time of increasing tension and unrest in the region.
Protesters chanted slogans against Pakistani forces and expressed their support for the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). On Monday, the JAAC stated on the social media platform “X” that Kashmiris in Italy held a strong protest and appealed to the international community to speak out against the alleged “genocide” of unarmed civilians by Pakistani forces.
JAAC stated that peaceful protesters are only demanding their basic rights.
This protest march comes at a time when demonstrations are being held by the Kashmiri diaspora in several countries around the world. The protesters allege that the Pakistani administration in PoK is taking harsh action against peaceful people and have demanded international intervention in this matter.
Meanwhile, according to the Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO), a PoK-based human rights documentation and monitoring organization, 93 civilian deaths were recorded between June 5 and August 5 during the escalating unrest in the region.
Last week, several members of the Kashmiri expatriate community also demonstrated outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford, United Kingdom. They condemned the alleged actions of Pakistani forces against peaceful protesters in PoK.
The protesters included elderly people, women, and children. They voiced support for the JAAC and demanded an end to Pakistani security forces’ operations in the region.
During the demonstration, people held placards that read, “Stop Pakistan’s barbarism,” “Stop killing Kashmiris in Pakistan’s Rawalakot,” and “We stand with the Awami Action Committee.” The protesters also chanted slogans against Pakistani forces.
Recently, several British MPs have also expressed serious concern over the alleged crackdown on civilians in PoK, as unrest in the region continues to escalate. British Labour Party MP Liam Byrne said that reports of the alleged use of live bullets against peaceful protesters in PoK are “extremely worrying.”
Meanwhile, British MP Adnan Hussain described the civilian deaths in PoK as an “unfortunate tragedy.” He said that if excessive or unlawful force was used by Pakistani authorities, a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation should be conducted.