Protests continued in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) today following a brutal crackdown by Pakistani security forces on civilians earlier this week, which left more than 40 people dead. Local authorities in the occupied region have now allegedly begun targeting women protesters demanding basic rights. Pakistani security forces opened fire on women demonstrators gathered in large numbers in Rawalakot and Mirpur, where they were raising slogans against the crackdown. Several videos circulating on social media purportedly show women fleeing as police opened fire during a peaceful protest rally in Kotli. Analysts claim that the total number of people killed since the protests began may have crossed 125.
In a statement issued, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jeremy Laurence, said that the criminalisation of a civil society organisation and imposition of strict limitations on gatherings in POJK raise serious concerns about infringements on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
The tensions coincide with so called ongoing regional elections in the occupied territory, with demonstrators determined to march towards Muzaffarabad to press Islamabad to accept their demands.
India has described the elections as an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and hide its grave human rights violations in the region.
