Pictures from human rights protests in Swiss Kashmir
Pakistan has been accused of imposing a harsh crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with allegations of road blockades, mass arrests and the use of anti-terrorism laws creating a “profound humanitarian crisis”, according to testimony at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).Speaking on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Mirza Shafiq, Chairman of the Swiss Human Rights Commission in Kashmir, said roads linking the region to Pakistan have been blocked by police and security forces, disrupting the movement of basic supplies, including food, medicine and other necessities.“The restrictions could spark widespread unrest across the region,” Shafiq said, describing the situation as “brutal and not political.”He expressed concern about his 90-year-old mother’s deteriorating health, saying he had not been able to contact her for nearly three weeks, and it had become difficult to get her weekly medications.
UKPNP organizes a protest at the United Nations in Geneva
The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) also held a demonstration at the famous Broken Chair monument outside the UN headquarters in Geneva, timed to coincide with a session of the UN Human Rights Council. UKPNP leaders, including Jamil Maqsood and Amjad Yousuf, condemned the actions of Pakistani military and security forces, specifically citing the June 7 shooting incident in Rawalakot that left several dead and wounded.
Shafiq claimed that protests have continued for the past 20 days across PoK District, claiming that more than 22 people have been killed, 576 people have been arrested and 34 have been booked under anti-terrorism laws. He also claimed that the bodies of some of the dead had not been returned to their families.He urged the international community to intervene and facilitate dialogue between the Pakistani government and the Joint Awami Action Committee for Jammu and Kashmir.
Raised violations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pashtun human rights defender Fazlur Rehman Afridi also addressed the UN Human Rights Council, accusing Pakistan of committing widespread violations across the PKK, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Afridi claimed that the situation in PoK has become “very critical” after the JKJAAC ban. Pakistani security forces allegedly launched a violent crackdown, resulting in the killing of dozens of civilians and the injury of hundreds.He also condemned the life sentence imposed on Baloch human rights activist Dr. Mehrang Baloch, describing the judiciary as a threat and calling for her immediate release.Afridi urged the UN Human Rights Council to conduct an international investigation into these allegations and demanded unfettered access by international human rights organizations and journalists to conflict-affected areas.
