PRESS RELEASE
BRUSSELS, 04 October 2026 — Hundreds of Kashmiri diaspora members from Belgium and across the European Union marched peacefully through central Brussels today to highlight the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following the proscription of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) on 5 June 2026.
The march began at the European Parliament, proceeded through the EU quarter, and concluded at the United Nations Regional Office. Participants included students, professionals, community leaders, human rights advocates and supporters of JKJAAC.
Message from Brussels
The demonstration called on the United Nations to protect human life, human dignity, peaceful
civic participation and the rule of law. Participants stressed that individual allegations of
unlawful conduct must be investigated through due process and must not be used to punish an
entire movement, community or family.
Participants warn against collective punishment and criminalisation of peaceful activism
Speakers noted that JKJAAC had been formally recognised by the Governments of Pakistan and AJK as a negotiating stakeholder until days before its proscription. Agreements reached in 2024 and October 2025 covered electricity tariffs, flour supply, education, health care, infrastructure, compensation, withdrawal of criminal cases, student unions and democratic representation.
“JKJAAC representatives continued participating in official Monitoring and Implementation Committee processes throughout 2026, including a meeting invitation issued on 28 May 2026 — just eight days before the movement was declared proscribed. Allegation must not be used to criminalise an entire public-rights movement or punish families, students, teachers or peaceful supporters.”
Key human rights concerns highlighted during the march
- Reported civilian killings and injuries
- Allegations of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators
- Arbitrary arrests and preventive detentions
- Internet and mobile-network shutdowns
- Mass Fourth Schedule listings targeting activists and supporters
- Reward notices issued against senior JKJAAC figures
- Blocking or cancellation of national identity cards
- Restrictions on bank accounts, passports, employment and medical access
- Deregistration of 13 private schools, affecting children’s education and teachers’ livelihoods
- Reprisals against journalists, lawyers, educators and human rights defenders
- Heightened risks faced by women activists and school leaders
Speakers called for independent, impartial and transparent investigations.
Participants urged:
- UN Special Procedures to monitor the situation and take preventive action
- The European Parliament, particularly its human rights and foreign affairs bodies, to raise the issue with the Government of Pakistan
- International human rights organisations to document violations, support independent access and protect witnesses and defenders
- Diplomatic missions to engage with authorities and encourage restraint, accountability and restoration of fundamental rights
“We are not asking international institutions to take sides in a political dispute. We are asking them to stand with human life, human dignity and democratic freedoms. No child should lose their education, and no person should be excluded from civil life because of peaceful protest.”
Media contact
Organisation Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee / Belgian Kashmiri Comunity
Email admin@jkjaac.co and admin@jkhro.org
Website and information www.jkjaac.co and https://jkhro.org