“Pakistan Calls on UN: End the Bloodshed in Kashmir Now!”

WebDesk July 30, 2023 2 minutes read

Post 1948 Indo-Pak war, India took this matter to the UN Security Council, which passed resolution 39(1948) and established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to investigate the issues and mediate between the two new countries. Following the cease-fire of hostilities, it also established the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to monitor the cease-fire line. The UN Security Council passed several resolutions on the Kashmir issue, calling for a plebiscite to determine the will of the people of Kashmir, but these were never implemented due to disagreements between India and Pakistan. In 1972, India and Pakistan signed the Simla Agreement, which reaffirmed their commitment to settle their differences peacefully and respect the Line of Control (LoC) as the de facto border in Kashmir. However, the agreement did not resolve the underlying dispute and sporadic violence continued along the LoC. India and Pakistan disagree on UNMOGIP’s mandate in Kashmir because India argued that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed after the Simla agreement because it was specifically established to observe ceasefire according to the Karachi Agreement. Pakistan however, maintains that UNMOGIP’s mandate is still valid as it was not terminated by any subsequent agreement. The situation in Kashmir has worsened since August 2019, when India revoked the Article 370, special status of Jammu and Kashmir under its constitution, which granted it a degree of autonomy. This move was met with widespread protests and a security lockdown by Indian forces. Pakistan condemned India’s decision as a violation of international law and human rights, and called for UN intervention. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the UN to address the situation in Indian administered Kashmir, alleging that India is committing atrocities and human rights violations against the Kashmiri people. Pakistan has also accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Azad Jammu Kashmir. The UN has expressed concern over the human rights situation in Kashmir and called for dialogue and restraint from both sides. The UN Secretary-General has also offered his good offices to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the dispute, but this requires the consent of both parties.