Geneva, Sept 27 (JKNS): Tasleema Akhter, Chairperson of the Awami Tehreek for Valley Kashmir (ATVK), represented India and Jammu and Kashmir at the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, where she spoke about human rights, governance and development, with a focus on the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Addressing the 22nd meeting of the 63rd Session, as per news agency JKNS, Akhter said human rights in the present era are closely linked with inclusive development, democratic values and protection of basic necessities of life.
She highlighted what she described as a contrast between the situations in PoJK and Jammu and Kashmir in India, referring to recent protests in PoJK led by the Joint Awami Action Committee and other civil society groups over governance and economic issues.
According to Akhter, the protests were followed by a crackdown, arrests of activists and supporters, detention of leaders, internet restrictions and clashes in which, she alleged, dozens of people lost their lives.
She also raised concerns over what she termed a lack of civic space in PoJK and alleged cases of reprisals. She called for measures to protect civilians and urged intervention by the UN Human Rights Council.
Akhter further called for independent inquiries into killings and said there should be free and fair access to information concerning such cases.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir in India, she said the region has witnessed progress in areas including skill development since 2024, which she said has contributed to employment generation and local businesses.
She also referred to Smart City initiatives and rural infrastructure development as areas that, according to her, have strengthened development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The remarks were made during her address at the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva on September 22, 2026. (JKNS)
