India has urged Pakistan to halt severe human rights abuses in regions under its unlawful control following violent turmoil in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) that resulted in over 12 civilian fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Amid Pakistan’s renewed Kashmir discourse at the United Nations, India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish highlighted that while the people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights within India’s democratic framework, such liberties are foreign to Pakistan.
Harish criticized Pakistan’s democratic fragility, noting its history of military rule and the inability of prime ministers to complete full terms. He condemned Pakistan for the recent unrest in POK, calling for an end to the military’s repression and human rights violations in the occupied territories.
The Indian envoy emphasized the integral status of Jammu and Kashmir within India and urged Pakistan to cease the ongoing human rights violations in the illegally occupied areas, where the populace resists against military oppression and exploitation of resources. The protests in POK, initially sparked by civic grievances, escalated into broader demonstrations against military excesses, resulting in a 10-day standoff with security forces and 12 fatalities before a government agreement quelled the unrest.
Harish also stressed the need for real and comprehensive reforms within the UN, cautioning against divisive politics among member states. He highlighted the inadequacy of the current council structure to address contemporary challenges, emphasizing the necessity for updates reflecting the current global landscape.