UN Rights Office Warns of Rights Violations as Violence Escalates in POAK

On 17 July, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern over the suppression of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir. spokesperson Jeremy Lawrence condemned the criminalisation of civil‑society groups and the heavy restrictions on public gatherings. He called for legal aid and family contact for detained JACC leaders and demanded a swift, impartial investigation into all deaths caused by security forces ahead of the scheduled 27 July elections.