Also known as Azad Kashmir, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing jurisdiction. India and Pakistan have long-standing disagreement surrounding this region which can escalate to aggression. And where there is aggression, there are human rights violations.
On June 14th 2020, one of the things Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said was that Jammu & Kashmir will witness a radical change in terms of development over the next five years and that people of PoK will be envious of the development and hence seek to live with India. However, in response, Pakistan had alleged that the Defence Minister’s statements were a “desperate attempt” to divert attention and accused India of “human rights violations” in the region.
Following this, on June 19th, 2020, it was reported that Kashmiri political activists were concerned about the proposed changes made by the Pakistani establishment to the Interim Constitution of PoK. One such activist that spoke up regarding these changes was exiled PoK leader and Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri. The activists stated that the proposed 14th Amendment Bill in the Interim Constitution of PoK included laws that restrict any person who does not believe in accession with Pakistan, to participate in political activities. They viewed this as a violation of the rights of self-determination and the fundamental human rights of the people of PoK.
A few weeks later on July 4th 2020, it was reported that the Director-General of Public Relations of Pakistan occupied Kashmir accused the Imran Khan administration of human rights violation. Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Pakistan and the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The DGPR noted that the ‘Pakistan Army and police are involved in mass-scale human rights violations, atrocities on innocent civilians and spreading terrorism'. A message on their official government website also stated that they ‘strongly condemn Pakistani rulers for the discriminatory policies and misrule in Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the past 70 years’.
It is clear that both sides have accused the other of violating human rights in the past. However, the aim of this article is not to take a stance towards one side, but instead to bring to attention that regardless of which side maybe the perpetrator, it is only innocent civilians that are gravely affected by any such cross-border conflicts. As youth trying to stay informed, it may be difficult to grasp the gravity and complexity associated with international tensions or even find unbiased accurate information regarding the same. However, the least anyone can do is attempt to stay updated and try to extend support to innocent individuals facing the brunt of being in the midst of such a conflict.
If any information has been incorrectly reported, please bring it to the author's notice.
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