UN rights chief calls for impartial investigations amid election-related unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

UN probes into deaths in Pakistani-administered Kashmir

By AP and Reuters July 17, 2026Kashmir clashes have killed 31 since June, leading UN rights chief Volker Turk to appeal for calmProtesters on the march in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during a strike called by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee, an alliance of civil society groups in Neelum Valley [File: Naseer ud Din/Reuters]The United Nations human rights chief has called for an independent investigation into deadly unrest in Pakistan-ad…

UN rights chief calls for impartial investigations amid election-related unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday urged calm and restraint amid escalating unrest ahead of regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, emphasizing the need for impartial investigations into protest-related deaths and renewed political dialogue to address longstanding grievances. Türk expressed concern over increasing violence in the region as tensions continue to rise before elections scheduled for July 27. He …