UKPNP Exposes Ongoing Human Rights Violations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

Kashmiri also pointed to a recent example of brutality, where two brothers were reportedly killed by Pakistani forces in PoK. He said that after the incident, efforts were made to cover up the story. “The press club that tried to report the incident was shut down. The victim’s family continues to be harassed, and no FIR has been registered,” he said.

Calling the situation extremely serious, Kashmiri urged the United Nations to send a fact-finding mission to these regions. “Let the victims be heard directly by the international community,” he said.

Spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan said the protest in Geneva was organised to draw attention to what he described as “growing extremism, terrorism, and state repression” in PoJK and PoGB. “We want the global community to take these issues seriously,” he said.

Khan added that many political activists are being jailed on false charges just for asking for basic rights and justice. He also said that people in PoK and PoGB want more control over their local resources, but are being silenced.

He also criticised the lack of freedom of speech and the growing influence of extremist groups in the region. “During the recent crisis between India and Pakistan, extremist elements operated freely, while civilians near the Line of Control saw their homes destroyed and lives upended,” Khan said.

He asked the Pakistani government to provide compensation and proper rehabilitation to displaced families affected by the violence.

The UKPNP leaders said the people of PoJK and PoGB are being treated as second-class citizens under what they called Pakistan’s “colonial rule.” They appealed to the international community, especially the UN, to intervene and help protect the human rights of the people living in these disputed regions.