The Joint Awami Action Committee has urged people across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to join protests on July 23, saying the voluntary shutdown will continue until its demands are met…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on Tuesday said the voluntary shutdown and wheel-jam strike across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would continue, while calling on people to participate in large numbers in protests planned for July 23.
Describing July 23 as a “day of utmost importance”, the group urged residents, particularly in the Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions, to join the demonstrations in support of its demands and to honour those who have died during the ongoing agitation.
In a post on X, the JAAC accused the authorities of using force against protesters and alleged widespread human rights violations during the movement.
“Despite 45 days of ongoing oppression and brutality, mass killings, and violations of basic human rights by the rulers, we salute the steadfastness of the Kashmiri people… We will continue our peaceful struggle without any compromise on the blood of our martyrs. We make a full appeal to the people not to fall for the deceptions of these cunning, deceitful rulers,” the organisation said.
The group also appealed to residents of Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions to turn out in large numbers on July 23.
“The people of Muzaffarabad and Mirpur Divisions, protest with full force on July 23. On July 23, an important announcement will be made regarding the tarnishing of the democratic process and the imposition of fraudsters, cunning individuals, and hypocrites on the people through sham elections at gunpoint,” it said.
In a separate post, the JAAC announced that Jibran Mushtaq Faram Taraar, a resident of Rawalakot who had been receiving treatment in Islamabad after allegedly being shot in the head by security forces, had died from his injuries.
The latest appeal follows the JAAC’s decision last week to suspend its planned long march until July 21, giving the Pakistani government what it described as a final opportunity to address its demands.
After the expiry of a July 14 deadline, the organisation had mobilised thousands of supporters, including women and children, for a march towards Muzaffarabad. Protest convoys from across the region had converged on Rawalakot and other locations before the march was suspended following talks with Pakistani authorities.
The JAAC warned that the march would resume if no concrete action was taken, while sit-in protests across PoK continue.
The unrest has also drawn international attention. On July 17, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern over restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the criminalisation of the JAAC and restrictions on public gatherings raised serious concerns.
“The criminalisation of a civil society organisation and imposition of strict limitations on gatherings raise serious concerns about infringements on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Detained JAAC leaders must have access to legal representation and their families. Their rights to due process and fair trial must be fully guaranteed,” he said.
According to the UN human rights office, High Commissioner Volker Turk has called for calm and urged prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths linked to the unrest involving both protesters and security personnel.
The OHCHR noted that dozens of civilians and law enforcement personnel have reportedly been killed since June as tensions escalated ahead of the July 27 election in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The UN also expressed concern over Pakistan’s decision to ban the JAAC under anti-terrorism laws and arrest several of its leaders, saying the move raised further questions about the protection of fundamental rights in the region.
