Washington, Aug 4 (NVI) Amnesty International has slammed the ongoing brutalities in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), saying the actions are “consistent with the Pakistani authorities’ long history of unlawful violence” against protesters in the region.
The global human rights body has also taken serious view of the internet and mobile services “blackout” in POJK, saying it severely impedes the independent verification of the full details of the situation on the ground.
“The disturbing reports emerging from Rawalakot are consistent with the Pakistani authorities’ long history of unlawful violence against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir,” Amnesty International said in a statement.
Rawalakot in POJK has witnessed the worst kind of bloodshed and violence caused by the Pakistani forces in their attempt to crush an ongoing agitation against interference by Islamabad in political and other matters of the occupied region.
“A prompt, independent, and transparent investigation must be ordered into the security forces’ use of force against protesters,” Amnesty International said.
“So long as an internet and mobile services blackout remains in place, it will severely impede the independent verification of the full extent of the situation on the ground. We urge the Pakistani authorities to restore all communications access and allow media and independent observers into the area,” it added.
A few days earlier also, Amnesty International expressed concern over reports that Pakistani forces used “lethal force” against protesters in Rawalakot on July 27.
“The disturbing reports emerging from Rawalakot are consistent with the Pakistani authorities’ long history of unlawful violence against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia.
“A prompt, independent, and transparent investigation must be ordered into the security forces’ use of force against protesters,” she said in a statement.
“So long as an internet and mobile services blackout remains in place, it will severely impede the independent verification of the full extent of the situation on the ground,” Lassee said.
“We urge the Pakistani authorities to restore all communications access and allow media and independent observers into the area,” she added.
Lassee noted that tensions in POJK have been “heightened by the unlawful ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)” by the Pakistani authorities.
“Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the Pakistani authorities to lift the ban on this protest movement and stop weaponizing anti-terror laws to silence and arbitrarily detain JAAC members and supporters,” she said.
“The ban cannot be used as an excuse to mete out deadly violence against protesters,” the Amnesty official said.
In the violence unleashed by the Pakistani forces in POJK since June 5, more than 100 people have been killed and several hundreds injured. (NVI)
