UK Lawmakers Condemn Pakistan Crackdown in Kashmir

British parliamentarians Bob Blackman and Imran Hussain condemned a human rights crisis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during a parliamentary debate in London on July 8. The lawmakers reported that Pakistani security forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, resulting in more than 30 deaths and 200 injuries, including British nationals. These reports follow data indicating that 56 protesters have been killed or reported missing since June 9.

The Military of Pakistan has enforced a strict lockdown, curfew, and total communications blackout in the region, specifically around six sit-in sites in the Rawalakot district. Protesters, led by the now-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), are demanding the abolition of 12 refugee seats and citing critical shortages of food and medicine. In response, JAAC announced a boycott of the Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for July 27.

International pressure has mounted as the Kashmiri diaspora and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party organized a "London Long March" on July 5, ending at the Pakistani High Commission. A petition was also filed in the British Parliament urging the UK government to address these abuses with Pakistani authorities. MP Imran Hussain called for the immediate resumption of talks with grassroots groups and the end of restrictions on medical and food supplies.