United Nations human rights agency voices concern over ‘wave of unrest’ in PoK (AP image)

The United Nations human rights agency has expressed concern over the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), urging authorities to conduct impartial investigations into the deaths of protesters and security personnel ahead of the region’s legislative assembly elections.In a statement issued from Geneva on Friday, UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Türk appealed for calm as tensions continue to escalate ahead of the July 27 polls. According to the UN, dozens of people, the majority of them protesters, along with some law enforcement personnel, have reportedly been killed since June.Calls for investigationTürk called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations into all deaths linked to the unrest. He also voiced concern over the banning of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the civil society movement spearheading the protests, under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws on allegations of threatening public order and security. Several leaders of the group have since been arrested.The UN rights office said criminalising a civil society organisation and imposing restrictions on public gatherings raise serious concerns over the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It also urged authorities to ensure detained JAAC leaders have access to legal counsel, contact with their families, and full due process.The statement further criticised restrictions on internet access in the region. “We urge the authorities to ensure full internet access throughout the territory,” adding that Turk calls for meaningful and inclusive political dialogue to address the underlying issues and grievances of the local population.How India reactedIndia, on July 14, said the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are the result of Pakistan’s “decades-long systemic exploitation and denial of fundamental rights”.The MEA accused Islamabad of responding to public dissent with excessive force instead of addressing people’s grievances.The remarks were made by ministry of external affairs spokespersonRandhir Jaiswal during a media briefing, where he also responded to questions on several foreign policy issues, including the ongoing crisis in West Asia.Responding to a question on the protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Jaiswal said, “The ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are a direct consequence of Pakistan’s decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative operation in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation. Rather than addressing the legitimate grievances of the local population, the Pakistani state has responded with excessive police brutality… We expect and hope that the international community will hold Pakistan fully accountable for these egregious abuses and misdeeds.”India has consistently maintained that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and has repeatedly accused Pakistan of human rights violations and suppressing the rights of people living in the region.