UN urges probe into deaths in Pakistani-administered Kashmir unrest

Kashmir clashes have killed 31 since June, leading UN rights chief Volker Turk to appeal for calmThe United Nations human rights chief has called for an independent investigation into deadly unrest in Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="142485" data-entity-type="location">Pakistan-administered Kashmir.On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, urged Islamabad to launch “prompt, thorough and impartial investigations” into all civilian and security force deaths. At least 31 people have been killed in clashes since last month, in the run-up to regional elections at the end of this month.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Protest in Pakistan’s Kashmir stalls after nine killed in clasheslist 2 of 3Pakistan-administered Kashmir returns to daily life after deadly protestslist 3 of 3Decades of denial: Death certificate for disappeared reopens Kashmir woundsend of listThe unrest has involved the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an umbrella group of traders and activists.While the movement initially formed to protest against rising food prices and utility tariffs, the current flashpoint centres on a legal dispute over legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The JAAC demands the abolition of those seats, arguing they allow non-residents to alter local political outcomes.UN officials expressed alarm over Pakistan’s decision to classify the JAAC as a proscribed “terrorist” organisation under domestic anti-terrorism laws.The global body warned that utilising anti-terror mechanisms to criminalise peaceful assembly and enforce widespread internet blackouts raises severe freedom of association concerns.The crisis has amplified the long-running diplomatic feud between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan, which have both claimed the disputed Himalayan territory in full since their independence in 1947.According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the crisis hit a deadly new peak on July 14 during intense clashes in the Poonch division, where security forces attempted to clear roadblocks ahead of a planned JAAC “long march” to Muzaffarabad. The escalation resulted in nine deaths – seven civil activists and two law enforcement officers.