Now Reading: UN chief backs probe into PoK protest killings
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UN chief backs probe into PoK protest killings
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has endorsed his human rights chief’s call for an impartial inquiry into the deaths of protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Friday…
The Story in Brief
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has endorsed his human rights chief’s call for an impartial inquiry into the deaths of protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Friday that if peaceful protesters were harmed, there must be accountability. Haq added that the secretary-general supports the work of High Commissioner Volker Turk and hopes his pleas will be heeded.
About 50 protesters have been killed during demonstrations led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) against Pakistan reserving seats for outsiders in local elections. Turk has demanded prompt, thorough investigations into all deaths and raised concerns over the banning of JAAC under anti-terrorism laws and arrests of its leaders. He also called for detained leaders to have access to legal representation and fair trials.
The Indian Opinion
The UN’s call for an inquiry is clear, but it must avoid becoming a diplomatic echo chamber. Both sides of the Kashmir dispute routinely invoke UN resolutions selectively. A concrete test: will the probe gain access to PoK and publish findings within six months? The number that will settle the question is Pakistan’s response to the inquiry request, not just its rejection of Indian statements.
Source: telanganatoday.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
