UN experts challenge JKJAAC terror listing as death toll reaches 101 and fourth schedule cases rise to 362
JKHRO warns of an escalating crackdown as reported Fourth Schedule cases rise from 205 cited by UN experts to 362, alongside 101 reported unlawful killings
The Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO) welcomes the publication of a joint communication by six United Nations Special Procedures mandates concerning the proscription of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) and the reported use of counter-terrorism measures against its members, supporters and associated civil society actors in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The 14-page allegation letter, reference AL PAK 4/2026, was transmitted to the Government of Pakistan on 4 September 2026 and made public by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 November 2026.
JKHRO expresses its sincere appreciation to the UN Special Procedures mandate holders for examining these serious allegations and taking into consideration the submission made by JKHRO on 21 August 2026. Official UN communication: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=31223
UN experts raise serious concerns
The UN experts expressed concern that JKJAAC’s designation as a terrorist organisation may be inconsistent with international standards governing terrorist listings. They further questioned whether the organisation may have been listed in retaliation for its political, labour and human rights advocacy, contrary to international human rights law.
The communication notes that JKJAAC has advocated on governance, public services, electricity tariffs, employment, land rights and political representation. It also records that the authorities had formally engaged with JKJAAC and entered into agreements with its representatives before the organisation was proscribed on 5 June 2026.
The experts raised concerns about reported violations following the designation, including:
· restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly and association;
· excessive use of force during demonstrations, potentially unlawful killings and serious injuries;
· arbitrary arrests and terrorism-related proceedings;
· restrictions on internet and mobile communications, curfews and constraints on media reporting;
· denial of medical care to injured protesters; and
· the placement of individuals, including women, on the Fourth Schedule of anti-terrorism legislation.
The communication recorded reports that, when the information was transmitted, at least 96 protesters and six police or paramilitary personnel had been killed since protests began in June 2026. It also referred to at least 70 arrests and the reported placement of 205 people on the Fourth Schedule, with consequences affecting identity documents, banking access, passports, healthcare and freedom of movement. JKHRO has since received reports that the number of Fourth Schedule cases has risen to 362, an increase of 157, or approximately 77 per cent, over the figure cited in the UN communication. This sharp expansion adds a further dimension to concerns about the growing use of counter-terrorism restrictions against political activists, human rights defenders and people associated with peaceful civic advocacy.
Escalating deaths, injuries and Fourth Schedule listings
JKHRO is gravely concerned that the reported violations have continued and expanded since the UN allegation letter was transmitted. According to information documented by JKHRO, the number of people reportedly unlawfully killed has now reached 101, including three people killed in Rawalakot on 5 November 2026. A further 18 people were seriously injured in a single day, several reportedly sustaining life-changing injuries. Over the same period, reported Fourth Schedule cases have risen from the 205 cited by the UN experts to 362. The combined increase in deaths, serious injuries and restrictive listings indicates a widening pattern of coercive measures requiring urgent independent scrutiny.
These latest incidents underline the urgency of the UN experts’ call for interim measures to halt the alleged violations, prevent recurrence and ensure accountability where independent investigations substantiate the allegations.
Statement from JKHRO spokesperson Azhar Ahmed
“JKHRO welcomes this significant intervention by six United Nations human rights mandates. We thank the Special Procedures mandate holders for carefully considering the information submitted by JKHRO and other sources concerning the proscription of JKJAAC and the wider pattern of alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“The UN communication reinforces a fundamental principle: peaceful political advocacy, labour organisation, human rights work and demands for accountable government must not be equated with terrorism. Counter-terrorism powers must never be used to suppress peaceful dissent, restrict civic space or shield potentially unlawful conduct from scrutiny.
“The situation has become still more serious since the communication was sent to Pakistan. JKHRO has documented a reported death toll of 101, including three people killed in Rawalakot on 5 November, while 18 others were seriously injured in a single day. Reported Fourth Schedule cases have also risen from 205 to 362, an increase of approximately 77 per cent. This expansion substantially widens the number of individuals and families exposed to restrictions affecting movement, identity documents, banking access, passports and other basic aspects of daily life.
“The Government of Pakistan and the Government of the Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir must take immediate and serious notice of the UN experts’ concerns. They must act now to prevent further loss of life, end unjustified restrictions and ensure independent investigations, accountability and effective remedies for victims and their families.”
JKHRO calls for immediate action
JKHRO calls upon the Government of Pakistan and the Government of the Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir to:
1. Provide a full and substantive response to allegation letter AL PAK 4/2026, addressing each of the eight questions raised by the UN experts.
2. Adopt immediate preventive measures to halt further loss of life, excessive use of force, arbitrary detention, collective punishment and reprisals.
3. Establish independent, impartial, effective and transparent investigations into every potentially unlawful death and serious injury, in accordance with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death.
4. Publish the legal and factual basis for JKJAAC’s proscription, including the conduct and evidence relied upon and the reasons less restrictive measures were considered insufficient.
5. Suspend and review the proscription unless the authorities demonstrate, through credible and convincing evidence, that it satisfies legality, necessity, proportionality, due process and effective judicial protection.
6. Review all 362 reported Fourth Schedule cases individually, publish the current consolidated list, disclose the reasons and evidence supporting each listing, remove listings that cannot be lawfully justified, and provide prompt access to an independent and effective appeal process.
7. Release all persons detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly and participation in public affairs.
8. End unjustified communications and media restrictions and permit independent journalists, human rights organisations and relevant UN mechanisms to operate without obstruction.
9. Protect victims, families, witnesses, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders from intimidation, retaliation and reprisals, including for communicating with international human rights mechanisms.
10. Guarantee access to medical treatment, legal assistance and effective remedies for injured people, detainees, victims and affected families.
A communication requiring a serious response
JKHRO recognises that a UN Special Procedures allegation letter is not a judicial determination and does not prejudge the accuracy of every allegation. It is, however, an authoritative international intervention requiring a prompt, transparent and evidence-based response from the responsible authorities.
The UN experts urged the Government to take all necessary interim measures to halt the alleged violations, prevent their recurrence and ensure accountability if investigations support the allegations. The communication and any response from Pakistan will also be included in a subsequent periodic report to the UN Human Rights Council.
JKHRO urges the international community, diplomatic missions, international human rights organisations and UN member states to raise the communication directly with Pakistan and seek measurable progress on preventing further deaths, conducting independent investigations, protecting due process and civic freedoms, and safeguarding human rights defenders.