The Association of Terror Victims Kashmir (ATVK) on Thursday staged a protest outside the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), in Sonwar, Srinagar, demanding justice for civilians killed recently in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The protest of nearly a dozen members of the group was led by its ATVK chairperson Tasleema Akhtar.
Condemning the killing of civilian protesters in PoK, she expressed deep concern over reports of excessive force and human rights violations committed against peaceful protesters.
“Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a serious violation of fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms. We urge the international community, human rights organizations, and relevant global institutions to take cognizance of these incidents, conduct an impartial assessment of the situation, and hold those responsible accountable,” she said.
She also called upon the United Nations to take cognizance of such grave violations of human rights in PoK and to take appropriate measures to stop the barbaric killings and excessive use of force against civilians.
PoK has witnessed widespread unrest in recent days after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and intensified a crackdown against its members. The protests and subsequent clashes reportedly left more than 20 people dead.
