London. More than 70 British MPs have written a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanding intervention regarding the deteriorating situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-PoK. An appeal has also been made to end the massacre being carried out by Pakistani forces and to take measures to protect the lives of civilians.
The appeal by British lawmakers comes amid rising violence and abuses in the region, where hundreds have been killed and injured in a brutal crackdown by Pakistani forces. Strict blockade, curfew and complete communications blackout is still in force in the area. In a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, British MPs said that over the past few months, reports of deaths, restrictions on communications, arbitrary arrests, disruption of essential supplies and curbs on peaceful civil and political expression have caused great concern. We have also heard consistently from British Kashmiris who are deeply concerned about the safety of their relatives and loved ones in the region.
The issue was raised by the United Nations
A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had raised his voice about Pakistan's brutality in PoK and said that the Pakistani government should answer for committing such atrocities during a peaceful demonstration.
Freedom of expression abolished
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk had expressed concern over the recent developments in PoK. He raised the issue of conducting a fair and thorough investigation into the death of the protesters and Pakistan banning the 'Joint Awami Action Committee' and arresting its leaders. Concern was also raised about restrictions imposed on Internet access and public gatherings in violation of the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Asked about demands for accountability of officials for their crackdown on protesters, Haq said, “It is important that all authorities everywhere allow peaceful protests and certainly that should be the case here too. If people are harmed because of their participation in a peaceful protest, then there should be accountability for it.” A statement issued in Geneva last month said Turks appealed to maintain peace in view of the unrest in PoK ahead of regional elections.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into all deaths of protesters and members of the security forces as a result of the unrest. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) led these demonstrations. These include transporters, students, lawyers, workers and others. The committee has been banned under anti-terrorism laws for posing a threat to public order and security.