WORLD

The International Human Rights Commission and the European Union should take note of the ongoing human rights violations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri Community Italy

The government of Pakistan is also called upon to immediately stop the use of excessive force against citizens. Kashmiri Community Italy calls on the government of Pakistan 

Sicily (International Desk) According to Global Times Media Europe, the Kashmiri diaspora living in Italy would like to draw your immediate attention to the serious and persistent human rights situation in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir. For the past several years, the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have been deprived of basic civil, political and economic rights. In view of these circumstances, representatives of civil society, the business community and various professional circles established a joint public action committee in 2023 to peacefully raise their voices for the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people. Later, this committee launched an unprecedented and peaceful public movement throughout the region. Recognizing the legal and public status of these demands, the Government of Pakistan invited representatives of the Joint Public Action Committee for negotiations. During these negotiations, the Committee presented its Charter of Demands, a copy of which is attached to this letter for your perusal. A ministerial delegation of the Government of Pakistan, led by former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, signed a formal agreement with the committee and made a written commitment that the agreement would be implemented within three months. It is regrettable that these promises were not implemented. Therefore, the Joint Public Action Committee announced a new peaceful public march on June 9, 2026 to demand the implementation of the agreement. However, instead of engaging in further negotiations, the authorities reportedly deployed thousands of security personnel across the region and used excessive and, according to local reports, lethal force against peaceful protesters even before the march began. Since 5 June 2026, internet and mobile communication services have reportedly been suspended in large parts of the region. According to information received from local sources, over one hundred people have been reported killed in Kotli, Mirpur, Dadial, Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad. Photographs of those reported to have died in these incidents are attached to this letter for your perusal. Furthermore, several individuals have reportedly faced arbitrary arrests and prolonged or extrajudicial detention. In addition, reports from the region indicate that over one hundred thousand men, women and children have been effectively confined in the Rawalakot area due to the ongoing restrictions. Two months after the start of these events, there are reports of severely restricted access to medical facilities, medicine, food, humanitarian aid, and independent observers. Furthermore, nearly seventy members of the UK Parliament have publicly called on the Government of Pakistan to lift the siege and restore fundamental rights, but to date no effective action has been taken on these appeals. In view of this grave humanitarian and human rights situation, we respectfully request the European External Action Service to consider the following actions under its mandate to promote and protect human rights: Demand that the Government of Pakistan immediately cease the use of excessive force against civilians; Urge the lifting of all restrictions that impede the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine and other basic necessities; Demand the immediate restoration of internet and all communication services; Encourage the release of all those arbitrarily detained, fair legal proceedings and respect for the rule of law; Support access for independent international humanitarian and human rights observers to assess the situation on the ground; Encourage meaningful dialogue between the Government of Pakistan and the legitimate representatives of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to find a peaceful solution to their problems. We respectfully request that the European Union pay urgent attention to this matter and use its available diplomatic and human rights channels to promote respect for international human rights standards, enable the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and play its part in preventing further loss of life and human suffering. We sincerely appreciate your attention and consideration of this very important matter and stand ready to provide any further information or documents that may be of assistance to your investigation.