India asks UN rights office for report on Pakistan's actions in PoK

India asked the UN human rights office to report on Pakistan's response to rights concerns in PoK. New Delhi also accused the OHCHR of selectivity that erodes trust in multilateral institutions.Unitednations,Oct 15, 2026 07:48 ISTIndia has asked the UN human rights office when it will issue a report on steps taken by Pakistan to address concerns over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including investigations into killings and restrictions on internet access.India also accused the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of “extreme selectivity”, saying its response to protests in some countries reflected double standards and weakened trust in multilateral institutions.First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India Anuj Swarup made the remarks on Wednesday during an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly's Third Committee.Swarup referred to detailed statements by the OHCHR and the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in PoK. These statements had called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into killings involving the armed forces and security forces. They had also called for detained leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee to be given access to legal representation and their families, along with due process and a fair trial. The statements had urged the authorities to lift restrictions on internet access across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and hold meaningful political dialogue to address the grievances of the local population.“When can we expect OHCHR to issue a report on the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan on this? Pakistan would do well to look inwards and reflect on how such rights are not being enjoyed in its large part, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and for that matter, in Rawalakot, which is under its illegal occupation,” Swarup said. In July, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk had appealed for calm in PoK amid unrest ahead of regional elections at the end of the month. He had noted that dozens of people, mostly protesters as well as law enforcement personnel, had reportedly been killed since June ahead of the July 27 election to the Legislative Assembly.Turk had called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths linked to the unrest. He had also expressed concern over the internet shutdown and urged the authorities to ensure full access across the territory.Referring to the OHCHR's approach, Swarup said, “Violent responses to protests in our neighbourhood as well as in the west have gone uncommented. Needless to say, such double standards contribute to loss of trust in multilateralism and the work of OHCHR.”He said India's freedom movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, stood for non-violence and equality and had shaped the Constitution, which guarantees fundamental rights to every citizen.“Indian citizens exercise rights subject to maintenance of public order and safety. Our law enforcement authorities act strictly in accordance with the law, and our courts remain available for redressal of any grievance,” Swarup said.He said India, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, had engaged constructively on contemporary issues and contributed to discussions. India would continue to work with the High Commissioner and the OHCHR in a “spirit of trust and partnership without selectivity and double standards”, he added.Swarup said the Constitution gives the same fundamental rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as it does to people in all other regions of India. He described the two Union Territories as integral and inalienable parts of the country.India's remarks came days after New Delhi described the OHCHR's comments on protests in the national capital as “unwarranted” and “unacceptable interference” in the country's internal affairs.Last week, the UN Human Rights Office had expressed concern over “reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today's large-scale demonstrations in Delhi”. India has now sought a report from the OHCHR on Pakistan's response to concerns in PoK while reiterating its call for the UN body to act without selectivity or double standards.With PTI Inputs- Ends