Pakistan: Authorities must protect the right to peaceful protest and lift communications blackout amid Jammu & Kashmir protests
Responding to reports of the deaths of at least nine people, including six protesters and three police officers, and injuries to hundreds of others during ongoing protests in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir which have taken place amid a communications blackout in the region, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, said:
“The situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir was preventable and now the priority of the authorities must be to ensure that there are no further injuries or loss of life. There should also be an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into all incidents of deaths and injuries, including investigating the excessive use of force by law enforcement, and all those responsible must be held to account.“
