As unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) continues to escalate, a human rights documentation and monitoring body has called on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to intervene following reports of lethal firing by Pakistani forces on peaceful protesters in the occupied territory, which left over 40 civilians dead and dozens injured.

In its urgent appeal to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, the PoK-based group Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO) stated that the killings occurred after the peaceful Long March, organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), resumed from Rawalakot towards Muzaffarabad on July 27.

In a statement, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Jeremy Laurence said that the criminalisation of a civil society organisation and the imposition of strict limitations on gatherings raise serious concerns about infringements on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. He said detained JAAC leaders must have access to legal representation and their families. Their rights to due process and fair trial must be fully guaranteed.