Pakistan's Human Rights Body Condemns 'Disproportionate' Force Against PoK Protesters, Questions Electoral Credibility

Human Rights Crisis Unfolds in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the state's response to protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), citing 'disproportionate use of force'. The commission's fact-finding mission has attributed unrest in PoK to longstanding political and socio-economic grievances, institutional distrust, and governance deficits.

The situation in PoK has been marred by violence and allegations of massive rigging in the recent elections. The banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has alleged that the establishment manoeuvres seats to install a prime minister of its choosing. After negotiations between the government and JAAC failed, the Kashmir government proscribed the organisation under an anti-terrorism act.

The HRCP report highlights the allegations of 'lethal and excessive' use of force against protesters, with multiple accounts from families alleging that a number of protesters had been killed or seriously injured by security forces. The Kashmir police chief reported around 38 security personnel killed since June. However, the HRCP expresses particular concern at the allegations of 'lethal and excessive' use of force against protesters.

The commission calls for an independent and impartial investigation into all deaths and serious injuries since June, including 'whether the use of force was lawful, necessary and proportionate'. The report also raises concerns at the government's use of anti-terrorism and preventive-detention provisions against political activists.

The HRCP report highlights the heavy deployment of security personnel, prolonged communications restrictions, boycott by major political actors, phased polling, and postponement of seven constituencies, which raised wider questions about the credibility of the electoral process. The commission calls for an independent review of cases against protesters, activists, journalists, and political workers, with cases withdrawn where individuals had been detained or prosecuted solely for peaceful political activity or lawful assembly.

The report also chides restrictions on journalism and access to information, saying journalists had faced arrests, legal action, restrictions on access to affected areas, and special security requirements while the prolonged communications shutdown severely constrained independent reporting and verification of deaths, injuries, arrests, and alleged electoral irregularities.

Electoral Process Under Scrutiny

The HRCP report questions the credibility of the electoral process in PoK, citing the heavy deployment of security personnel, prolonged communications restrictions, boycott by major political actors, phased polling, and postponement of seven constituencies. The commission calls for an independent review of cases against protesters, activists, journalists, and political workers.

Human Rights Concerns

The HRCP report highlights the human rights concerns in PoK, including the allegations of 'lethal and excessive' use of force against protesters, restrictions on journalism and access to information, and the use of anti-terrorism and preventive-detention provisions against political activists.

Key Takeaways

• The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has condemned the state's response to protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, citing 'disproportionate use of force'.
• The commission's fact-finding mission has attributed unrest in PoK to longstanding political and socio-economic grievances, institutional distrust, and governance deficits.
• The HRCP report calls for an independent and impartial investigation into all deaths and serious injuries since June, including 'whether the use of force was lawful, necessary and proportionate'.
• The report also raises concerns at the government's use of anti-terrorism and preventive-detention provisions against political activists.
• The HRCP report questions the credibility of the electoral process in PoK, citing the heavy deployment of security personnel, prolonged communications restrictions, boycott by major political actors, phased polling, and postponement of seven constituencies.
• The commission calls for an independent review of cases against protesters, activists, journalists, and political workers, with cases withdrawn where individuals had been detained or prosecuted solely for peaceful political activity or lawful assembly.
• The report also chides restrictions on journalism and access to information, saying journalists had faced arrests, legal action, restrictions on access to affected areas, and special security requirements while the prolonged communications shutdown severely constrained independent reporting and verification of deaths, injuries, arrests, and alleged electoral irregularities.