Human rights violations and socio-economic deprivation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were placed before the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on 24 September 2026, with civil society activists calling for an independent international investigation into the ongoing crackdown on protesters in the region.

Key Allegations at the UNHRC

In an oral statement to the Council, social activist Harleen Kour said residents of PoJK have been on the streets for months demanding food, electricity, employment, better infrastructure and political representation. She alleged these peaceful protests have been met with excessive force, arbitrary detentions, communication blackouts and the invocation of anti-terror laws against civilian groups.

'This Council cannot remain silent while fundamental human rights are violently suppressed,' Kour told the Council, also alleging extrajudicial killings and mass detentions. She further argued that resources extracted from the region benefit external interests while locals face acute inflation, unemployment and poor infrastructure.

What Activists Are Demanding

Kour urged the UNHRC to establish an independent fact-finding mission to investigate civilian deaths, unlawful detentions and the use of excessive force. She also called for an immediate end to security crackdowns, full restoration of communications and digital access, and protection for political activists and local leaders facing harassment. The demands represent some of the strongest international calls for accountability regarding PoJK conditions heard at a UNHRC session in recent years.

Side Event at Geneva Press Club

The issue was also taken up at a side event on 23 September at the Geneva Press Club, organised by civil society under the theme 'Empowering Tomorrow: Youth Innovation, Gender Equality and the Transition to Peace (in Jammu and Kashmir)'. Speakers highlighted youth-led progress on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir while drawing a sharp contrast with conditions in PoJK.

Social activist Tehmina Rizvi compared gender equality indicators across both sides, citing data on women-led self-help groups, political representation, literacy rates, startups and youth demographics, arguing these trends could contribute to sustainable peace and inclusive development.

Voices on Kashmiri Progress and Pakistani Accountability

Seerat Gowhar Mir said Jammu and Kashmir had moved 'from stone pelting to ballots', pointing to rising voter participation and greater access to education, technology and opportunity — describing it as a generational shift in mindset. Farooq Ganderbali, President of Voice for Peace and Justice, alleged that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and extremism had held back development, and called on the forum to condemn alleged atrocities by Pakistani forces on PoJK residents during recent protests.

Author and columnist Sheikh Minhaj said Kashmiri youth were increasingly focused on progress, technology and entrepreneurship, noting that 'peace is not merely the absence of violence but the presence of opportunity.' World Sindhi Congress leader Hidayat Bhutto voiced concern over the erosion of Kashmir's distinct language, culture and history, and alleged that Pakistan bears responsibility for promoting terrorism across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as well, calling for solidarity among communities facing human rights challenges and cultural marginalisation.

Broader Context

This comes amid sustained unrest in PoJK, where protests over inflation, power shortages and poor governance have drawn heavy security responses in recent months, according to reports. The UNHRC session provides a rare international platform for such grievances to be formally registered. Whether the Council takes up the specific demand for a fact-finding mission remains to be seen, but the coordinated advocacy across the plenary and side events signals a concerted effort to raise the profile of PoJK human rights concerns on the global stage.