Update of the Situation of Human Rights in Indian-Administered Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir from May 2018 to April 2019

On June 14, 2018, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its first report on the human rights situation in Indian-Administered Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir between July 2016 and April 2018. The report highlighted allegations of serious human rights violations, notably the excessive use of force by Indian security forces that led to numerous civilian casualties, arbitrary detention and impunity for human rights violations. The report also spoke about human rights abuses by armed groups allegedly supported by Pakistan. The Indian government rejected the report’s findings and recommendations, and accused the United Nations of violating its “sovereignty and territorial integrity.” This second OHCHR report looks at the human rights situation in Indian-Administered Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir between May 2018 and April 2019. It contains information available in the public domain (some of which was obtained through the Right to Information Act) and reflects the research and monitoring of human rights defenders and local, national and international NGOs. It also draws from official documents, such as questions in Parliament, court orders and police reports. The first report’s recommendations are reiterated in the second since the governments of India and Pakistan did not address them, and additional recommendations are also made to the respective authorities.