Communications blackout and human rights in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Tabled 8 June 2026 by Imran Hussain
That this House expresses grave concern at reports of communications blackout, lockdown measures, mass arrests, and raids in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; condemns any excessive or unlawful use of force against peaceful protesters, and civil society representatives; notes with alarm the distress caused to British Kashmiris and others in the UK who have been unable to contact relatives and loved ones in the region, including British citizens currently in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; further notes concerns regarding restrictions on communications, safe medical access for injured persons, due process for detainees and the breakdown in dialogue between the authorities and peaceful protest and civil society groups; believes that peaceful advocacy for constitutional reform, democratic equality, accountable governance, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly should not be criminalised; calls for the immediate restoration of communications, the lifting of restrictions affecting contact between families, safe medical access for all injured persons, protection of peaceful assemblies and the release or prompt production before court of all detainees; urges the Government of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to immediately end the lockdown, restore all communications, and resume peaceful table-talk and negotiation through dialogue with respect for Kashmiri human rights; and calls on the Government to use all appropriate diplomatic channels to facilitate an immediate lifting of the lockdown, a restoration of all communications, enhanced consular support for affected British nationals, prevent any further escalation, and engage urgently in constructive table talks to secure a peaceful resolution that respects the human rights of Kashmiris.
Signatories (45)
- Imran Hussain Sponsor
- Tahir Ali
- Richard Burgon
- Ayoub Khan
- Zarah Sultana
- Mohammad Yasin
- Abtisam Mohamed
- Gill Furniss
- Iqbal Mohamed
- Neil Duncan-Jordan
- Apsana Begum
- John McDonnell
- Jeremy Corbyn
- Andy McDonald
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy
- Rebecca Long Bailey
- Brian Leishman
- Ian Byrne
- Mary Kelly Foy
- Cat Eccles
- Jim Shannon
- Liam Byrne
- Dr Allison Gardner
- Mr Clive Betts
- David Williams
- Kim Johnson
- Grahame Morris
- Ian Lavery
- Steve Witherden
- Nadia Whittome
- Ms Diane Abbott
- Lorraine Beavers
- Jon Trickett
- Chris Hinchliff
- Rachael Maskell
- Peter Lamb
- Clive Lewis
- Chris Law
- Brendan O'Hara
- Karl Turner
- Dr Ellie Chowns
- Hannah Spencer
- Siân Berry
- Adrian Ramsay
- Dr Simon Opher