• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. UN rejects Pakistan's Article 370 narrative on Kashmir.
  2. Kashmir remains a bilateral dispute between India, Pakistan.
  3. UN concerned about human rights in PoJK crackdown.

The United Nations on Thursday firmly rejected the Pakistan-aligned narrative regarding India's decision to abrogate Article 370, which ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Reaffirming its long-standing position, the global body stated that Kashmir remains a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan. It emphasised that any legitimate, long-term solution must actively include the participation of the region's people.

UN Reaffirms Kashmir As Bilateral Issue

The statement by the UN came in response to Palestinian journalist Abdul Hamid's question about the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's position on India’s move to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Calling the move a "violation of Security Council resolutions,” the journalist claimed that the move altered the map of the political affiliations of the region.

Responding to Hamid’s queries, Farhan Aziz Haq, Deputy Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General said, “You're certainly aware of the Security Council's resolutions dating back to 1949 concerning the status of Kashmir, and those resolutions have not changed." Haq further highlighted international scrutiny on the region, noting that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has explicitly voiced concerns regarding the situation.

He added that the global body remains steadfast in its position that basic human rights must be fully respected for the people of Kashmir. “But regarding our concerns, you'll have seen what was expressed, including by the High Commission for Human Rights, regarding our concerns that all basic rights are respected for the people of Kashmir," Haq said.

ALSO READ: 'World Not Fooled By Orchestrated Spectacles': India Slams Pakistan Over Article 370 Remarks, Youm-e-Istehsal Observance

PoK Unrest

Notably, the raising of the Kashmir issue at the UN coincided with a violent security crackdown within Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) against civilians demanding basic human rights. The locals have been protesting since June 7 over soaring living costs, administrative neglect, political discrimination, and systematic atrocities against minorities. In response, state security forces launched an aggressive crackdown, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 100 civilians.

Earlier on July 17, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk had also expressed concern over the unrest ahead of the regional election. Turk called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths that occurred during the unrest. He also urged Pakistani authorities to exercise restraint, protect fundamental rights, and ensure accountability for reported violence.

ALSO READ: '90 Lives Lost So Far': India Calls Out Pakistan Over Crackdown On Civilians Amid 'Farce' PoK Elections

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