British Kashmiris in Birmingham staged a demonstration outside Pakistan's Consulate on 29 July, expressing solidarity with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) amid a violent crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that has reportedly left at least 40 people dead and dozens injured over the preceding two days. Protesters removed their footwear outside the consulate — a traditional gesture of contempt in South Asian cultures — and raised slogans demanding accountability and the independence of PoK.

What Happened at the Birmingham Protest

Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators placing their shoes outside the consulate gates, chanting slogans including 'ye jo daishatgardhi hai iske peeche vardhi hai' — roughly translated as 'the police is behind this violence.' The protest was aimed at drawing attention to what participants described as the systematic use of force by Pakistani security personnel against civilians in the occupied region.

Various reports have indicated the combined death and injury toll could exceed 100, given the scale of unrest reported across Rawalakot, Mirpur, and other areas of PoK over recent days. The UK Pakistan National Party (UKPNP) alleged separately that more than 100 people have been killed since 5 June, with several hundred critically injured and hundreds more reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance by Pakistani security forces.

UK MPs Condemn the Crackdown

Several Members of Parliament have publicly condemned the violence. MP Naz Shah called Pakistan's firing on protesters 'barbaric' in a post on X, demanding accountability and immediate steps toward a peaceful resolution. 'Shooting directly at protesters who were peacefully expressing their political views is barbaric,' Shah wrote, adding, 'Speaking up against the killing of innocent people is a moral and human duty. To remain silent is an injustice to humanity.'

MP Imran Hussain shared a video message on X stating he would contact the Pakistani High Commissioner in the UK to convey the concerns of British Kashmiris. Hussain also urged UK ministers to deploy every available diplomatic measure to de-escalate the situation, end the use of force, and resume dialogue.

UKPNP Calls for International Intervention

The UKPNP condemned what it described as 'excessive or unlawful force against peaceful civilians,' stating that such actions 'would constitute serious violations of international human rights law and may amount to crimes under international law.' The group formally called on the United Nations, the European Union, and the broader international community to take immediate steps to protect civilians, support independent investigations into reported incidents, and press for compliance with international human rights obligations.

Background and Broader Context

The unrest in PoK has been escalating for weeks, with the JAAC at the centre of protests over issues including electricity tariffs, wheat subsidies, and broader governance grievances. This is not the first time demonstrations in PoK have drawn international attention, but the reported scale of the crackdown — and the diaspora response it has triggered in the United Kingdom — marks a significant escalation in visibility. The Birmingham protest reflects a pattern of British Kashmiri communities mobilising around events in PoK, with consulates increasingly becoming focal points for diaspora activism.

With UK parliamentarians now formally engaged and international rights bodies being petitioned, pressure on Islamabad is likely to intensify in the coming days.