Several Kashmiri political leaders, international human rights defenders, journalists, civil society representatives and activists today strongly condemned Pakistan over escalating human rights abuses in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during an international conference held at the Geneva Press Club.
The conference was organised by United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) on the sidelines of the ongoing 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
According to the UKPNP, the participants sharply criticised reported extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, communications blackouts and allegations of excessive use of force by Pakistani security forces in PoK.
During the meeting, the UKPNP called for independent international investigations, accountability for those responsible for unlawful killings, justice for victims’ families, the release of arbitrary detainees and the restoration of fundamental freedoms in PoK.
The conference also highlighted the demands for democratic self-rule, ownership of natural resources, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, stability and the rule of law in the occupied territory.
The UKPNP reiterated its opposition to terrorism, extremism, political violence and the use of PoK as a weapon for geopolitical interests.