Pakistan raises alarm over UN report on rights abuses in Indian-administered Kashmir

Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern over a new report by United Nations Special Procedures experts that accuses India of serious human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir, calling on New Delhi to end what it described as “coercive measures” in the disputed region.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan was “gravely concerned” by the experts’ findings, released on Nov. 24, which cited the arbitrary arrest and detention of nearly 2,800 people - including journalists, students and human rights defenders - under laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The experts also pointed to allegations of torture, custodial deaths, incommunicado detention, denial of due process, punitive home demolitions, forced evictions, recurring internet shutdowns and curbs on press freedom, including the blocking of around 8,000 social media accounts. Rising hate speech and attacks targeting Kashmiris and Muslim communities across India were also noted in the report.

“These findings reaffirm long-standing concerns about state-sponsored persecution of Kashmiri Muslims and discrimination against minorities across India,” the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan asked India to release all those held under what it called “arbitrary” detentions in the region, and to take steps to end the persecution of religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians.

Islamabad reiterated its call for a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It also urged New Delhi to roll back demographic and legal changes introduced in the region since 2019 and restore civic freedoms.

Pakistan said it would continue to extend “moral, political and diplomatic support” to Kashmiris in their struggle.