Prime Minister of Pakistan condemns “Brutal use of force by the Indian occupation forces” in Kashmir.

05.08.2022

Thomas Brandes.

Pakistan and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

Today the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the “just struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to realise their right to self-determination, guaranteed under several resolutions of the UN Security Council, was being suppressed through brutal use of force by the Indian occupation forces.” (Pakistan Today, 2022)

Sharif displayed his concern over the rights of Kashmiris, arguing that “by deploying additional troops and imposing unprecedented media restrictions, since 5 August 2019, the Indian occupation forces had turned IIOJK into the largest prison on the planet.” This condemnation was seconded by President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi. Sharif underlined “the Kashmiri people have valiantly defied the Indian campaign of brutalization against them. Pakistan has lent all possible support to the Kashmiris in pursuit of their just cause”, yet it is unclear whether such verbality will lead to improvements in the region. 

Conversely, the claim that Kashmir should be self-determined according to UN order is dubious, perhaps stemming from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 47, adopted on 21 April 1948. This resolution demanded a popular vote to be granted in the territories by India, under certain conditions regarding Pakistani demilitarisation.  After considerable efforts, the Commission declared its failure in December 1949. 

The situation was commented upon in 2020 by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stating that "It is clear that we have taken a position about the need for Security Council resolutions to be implemented and for effective de-escalation and dialogue linked to that, with another very important condition, which is full respect for human rights and (fundamental) freedoms in Jammu and Kashmir." (The New Indian Express, 2020)

This implies responsibility for both India and Kashmir to uphold their sides of the 1948 Resolution, should the situation wish to improve.  

Sources & Further reading:

Pakistan Today. “India Suppressing Kashmiris Just Struggle with Brute Force: PM.” Pakistan Today, 4 Aug. 2022, www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/08/04/india-suppressing-kashmiris-just-struggle-with-brute-force-pm/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2022.

The New Indian Express. “Pakistan Must Withdraw from Occupied Kashmir as per UNSC Resolutions, Hints Guterres.” The New Indian Express, 17 Feb. 2020, www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/17/pakistan-must-withdraw-from-occupied-kashmir-as-per-unsc-resolutions-hints-guterres-2104646.html. Accessed 5 Aug. 2022.

UN Security Council. “Resolution 47 (1948).” Digitallibrary.un.org, 1964, digitallibrary.un.org/record/111955/?ln=en.