UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Global Action to Defend Freedoms in IIOJK and Beyond

The international community must unite to uphold human rights and safeguard fundamental freedoms in the face of escalating challenges worldwide, particularly in regions like Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In a recent address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed serious concern about the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He highlighted the use of restrictive laws, harassment of human rights defenders, and the persecution of independent journalists, which has led to arbitrary detentions and a shrinking space for civil society. Turk called on the global community to intensify efforts to protect the fundamental freedoms and institutions that uphold them, drawing attention to the deteriorating situation in IIOJK.

Turk’s remarks have sparked criticism from India’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, who expressed disapproval over the comments regarding Kashmir. Despite this disagreement, Turk remained firm in his call for increased international pressure on India to respect human rights and democratic principles.

In addition to his concerns about IIOJK, the UN human rights chief also addressed the violence and displacement occurring in the Indian state of Manipur. He urged for peaceful dialogue and human rights-based solutions to the ongoing conflict. This call for peacebuilding efforts reflects Turk’s broader message of promoting diplomacy and human rights in conflict zones.

Presenting his global update, Turk covered over 30 countries, including India, shedding light on a troubling global trend. He pointed to the rising number of conflicts, including IIOJK, where legal protections for civilians are routinely violated. He described this as “outrageous,” noting that in many of these conflicts, civilians are targeted with deliberate violence, including sexual violence and starvation as weapons of war.

Furthermore, Turk drew attention to the growing number of humanitarian workers who have become victims of violence while providing aid in the world’s most devastating crises. In 2024, a record 356 humanitarian workers were killed, highlighting the increasingly perilous environment for those seeking to alleviate suffering in conflict zones.

Turk emphasized that the world is currently experiencing a period of instability and division, with conflicts becoming more frequent and societies becoming increasingly fractured. He warned that if the international community fails to act, the global consensus around human rights and international norms, which has been painstakingly built over decades, could crumble.

The UN human rights chief also touched on the fragile situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where he noted that a ceasefire in Gaza has been holding. Turk stressed that this ceasefire should serve as the foundation for a lasting peace in the region, calling on all parties to respect international law and human rights.