Global Protests Planned for Kashmir Rights Amid Rising Tensions

International Call for Protests

A protest initiative in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) is urging global demonstrations on July 5, aiming to highlight the increasing repression by Pakistani security forces. This call to action comes as the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) continues its peaceful campaign for fundamental rights in the region.

Worldwide Protest Appeal

During a significant assembly in Rawalakot, Advocate Mehrah Khawja condemned the actions of Pakistan's military and called upon the Kashmiri diaspora, especially in the UK, to organize protests. As reported in various media, Khawja emphasized that there is "no legal basis" for the army to harm civilians and criticized the current leadership for its inability to engage in constructive dialogue. He urged all Kashmiris abroad to raise their voices on July 5, stating, "From Birmingham to London, all Kashmiris must unite in protest." Khawja also accused the Pakistani government of exploiting local resources while neglecting the grievances of the people, advocating for a shutdown of businesses and public areas in solidarity with the protest movement.

Support from JAAC

In another video, Sardar Aman Khan, a key member of JAAC, called for support from residents across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Gilgit-Baltistan for the upcoming protests. He addressed the people of the Kashmir Valley and surrounding areas, highlighting the oppression faced by those demanding basic rights. Khan stated, "The cruelty and military aggression against our people have reached alarming levels. Our access to food and medicine is severely restricted, and even our right to breathe is questioned by those in power." He urged everyone to participate in the demonstrations on July 5 to voice their demands for justice.

On June 30, the JAAC criticized the Pakistani government after an opposition group was reportedly barred from entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which they viewed as an infringement on democratic rights and political dissent. The committee alleged that authorities had obstructed food supplies and limited access to the region, asserting that their movement is peaceful and focused on achieving fundamental rights.

Concerns from Human Rights Organizations

The protests coincide with Amnesty International's condemnation of Pakistan's treatment of political activists ahead of the regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The organization denounced the government's excessive measures to suppress peaceful dissent and criticized the classification of JAAC as a "proscribed organization," viewing it as an unjust limitation on freedom of association and political expression. Activists have reported an economic blockade, travel restrictions, and surveillance of protest camps by drones. They are also advocating for a boycott of the regional elections scheduled for July 27. Recent violent clashes in POJK resulted in at least 20 fatalities and numerous injuries, reflecting the rising frustration over economic struggles, political exclusion, and increasing limitations on civil liberties. Reports indicate that the unrest, driven by JAAC—a coalition of traders, civil society, and political activists—has been fueled by discontent over rising electricity costs, taxation, and governance issues in the region.