Geneva: A significant gathering of the Kashmiri diaspora took place in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council headquarters in Geneva, demonstrating against what they describe as ongoing atrocities by India in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest saw participation from Kashmiris residing across Europe and was led by Ghulam Mohammad Safi, the Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter. Notable attendees included former advisor to the AJK government Sardar Amjad Yousuf and a number of Kashmiri representatives such as Altaf Hussain Wani, Shamim Shawl, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Dr. Raja Mohammad Sajjad Khan, Shagufta Ashraf, and Naila Kayani. Former Acting Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhry Parvez Ashraf, and Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir President, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, were also present.

The speakers collectively called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to address what they claim are severe rights violations in the territory, accusing the Indian Army of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. They highlighted the severe restrictions on freedom of speech and described the region as being turned into a prison. The assembly criticized the conduct of elections in the territory, dismissing them as fraudulent attempts to mislead the international community and insisted that these elections could not replace a referendum.

Further allegations were raised about the disappearance of over ten thousand Kashmiris during detentions and the discovery of more than 8,000 mass graves in the region. The demonstrators demanded urgent attention from the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the dire human rights situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called for India to permit a UN fact-finding mission to visit the area.

Hurriyat leader Ghulam Mohammad Safi declared that Kashmiris have consistently rejected India’s occupation and will continue to do so in the future.