Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: Violence in Rawalakot and protests in Geneva

Violence has erupted in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), resulting in the death of a young man, identified as Faizan Shan, and the injury of another person. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) alleged that Rangers personnel opened fire on the two individuals near a security checkpoint. Following the incident, residents gathered to demand the return of the deceased to his family, and further protests were reported in the Neelum district, where authorities allegedly used shelling to disperse crowds.

Simultaneously, the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) held a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Protesters highlighted alleged human rights violations, political restrictions, and the repression of civilians in PoJK. The demonstration specifically called for international attention to previous incidents of violence against peaceful demonstrators and urged the UN to conduct impartial investigations into the conduct of Pakistani security forces in the region.