‘There needs to be accountability’: UN warns Pakistan over crackdown on peaceful PoK protesters
The United Nations has warned Pakistan and called for accountability for any action taken against people participating in peaceful protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This came amid continuing unrest and concerns over restrictions on public gatherings and internet access, a spokesperson for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said.Asked whether the UN would seek accountability for the reported crackdown on protesters, deputy spokesman for the secretary-general Farhan Haq said authorities must ensure that people are allowed to exercise their right to peaceful protest.“It’s important that all authorities everywhere allow for peaceful protest, and certainly that is the case here. If there have been people harmed for engaging in peaceful protest, there needs to be accountability for that,” Haq told PTI.“The Secretary-General supports the work of his high commissioner, and we certainly hope that the pleas made by Mr Turk will be listened to,” he added.UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk had last month expressed concern over the escalating unrest in PoK and called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into deaths among both protesters and security personnel.According to the UN, dozens of people, mostly protesters but also members of the law enforcement agencies, had reportedly been killed since June as tensions rose ahead of elections to the legislative assembly.Turk had also called for calm and urged authorities to address the underlying grievances of the local population through meaningful and inclusive political dialogue.The UN human rights chief further criticised Pakistan’s decision to ban the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and arrest some of its leaders.The JAAC, a coalition of traders, transporters, students, lawyers, activists and other groups, has been leading protests over political and economic issues in the region.The UN also raised concerns over restrictions on internet access and public gatherings, warning that such measures could undermine the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.“We urge the authorities to ensure full Internet access throughout the territory,” the UN statement said.The comments from the UN come amid heightened tensions in PoK, where protests and violence have also disrupted the regional election process.The JAAC has alleged that more than 40 people were killed during the first phase of polling on July 27 and has claimed that around 400 protesters have been killed since the first week of June. The Pakistan government has rejected the figures as “overly exaggerated”.“The number of people killed in the protests is in two digits. Moreover, security personnel have also lost their lives,” Pakistan Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah said in a recent television interview.The unrest has also affected the election process in PoK. Authorities on Friday postponed voting indefinitely in seven of the 11 constituencies scheduled to vote in the third phase on August 10, citing concerns over the law-and-order situation. The first two phases of polling, held on July 27 and August 2, were marred by violent protests and allegations of rigging.
