Kashmiri Author Urges UK Government to Address Human Rights Issues in PoJK
Kashmiri author urges UK to act on PoJK's deteriorating rights situation

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Shabir Choudhry, a Kashmiri author and human rights advocate, has urged the UK government to act on the worsening human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. His letter to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlights security crackdowns, political marginalization, and calls for greater UK involvement.
- 01Choudhry's letter details over 20,000 security personnel deployed in PoJK, leading to casualties and arrests.
- 02He emphasizes the need for independent verification of events due to communication blackouts.
- 03Concerns in Gilgit-Baltistan include political marginalization and inadequate constitutional protections.
- 04Choudhry asserts the UK's historical responsibility in the region since the 1947 transfer of power.
- 05He calls for transparent monitoring of aid to ensure it reaches local communities.
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Shabir Choudhry, a UK-based Kashmiri author and political analyst, has written to British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, urging the UK to take action regarding the deteriorating human rights conditions in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. In his letter, he expressed alarm over increased security forces in PoJK, where over 20,000 personnel have been deployed, resulting in alleged use of excessive force against demonstrators, political arrests, and communication restrictions that hinder independent media access. Choudhry also raised concerns about political marginalization and inadequate protections in Gilgit-Baltistan, where residents face restrictions on democratic participation and land ownership disputes. He emphasized the UK's historical and moral obligation to address these issues, calling for the government to monitor developments, advocate for human rights, and support democratic reforms. Additionally, he urged for transparency in humanitarian aid to ensure it reaches the intended communities, as many residents feel that assistance does not benefit them directly. Choudhry highlighted the aspirations of the local population for dignity, justice, and fundamental rights.
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The conditions in PoJK and Gilgit-Baltistan affect the local population's rights and freedoms, leading to calls for international intervention.
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