JKJAAC Advisory Council urges end to Rawalakot firing, talks within 24 hours and preliminary findings within 48 hours
In its 8 November communiqué, the JKJAAC Advisory Council calls for an immediate end to firing in Rawalakot. It urges authorities to return the bodies of those who died to their families, ensure safe treatment for the injured, restore communications and tell families where detainees are held. The Council proposes that an impartial, unarmed delegation visit Rawalakot, hear directly from residents, protesters and authorities, and publish a preliminary report within 48 hours. It also calls on the Government and JKJAAC to meet within 24 hours at a neutral venue, with representatives authorised to negotiate and make commitments.
11/8/20262 min read
1. Core Position
The Advisory Council of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee expresses grave concern over the tense situation in Rawalakot and surrounding areas. The Council affirms that peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, public participation and a meaningful role in public decision-making fall within the sphere of democratic rights. Any alleged individual wrongdoing must not be used to justify collective force against an entire community or all demonstrators.
The Council appeals for discipline, non-violence and unity, and calls on every party to avoid language, actions or deployments that may heighten fear, provocation or confrontation.
2. Immediate Humanitarian and Confidence-Building Measures
• Immediately cease firing, unnecessary use of force and all actions that intimidate civilian communities;
• Return the bodies of those who have died to their families without delay and with dignity, and provide formal condolences and appropriate support;
• Provide all injured persons with immediate, safe and non-discriminatory medical treatment;
• Restore mobile, internet and other essential communications, except for any strictly limited restriction that is lawful, necessary and proportionate;
• Provide families and legal representatives with a verified list of detainees, their places of detention and their legal status;
• Guarantee safe access for peaceful assembly, responsible media coverage, legal assistance and impartial human rights monitoring;
• Instruct all personnel and supporters to exercise restraint, remain non-violent and respect civilians.
3. Joint Political, Legal and Human Rights Delegation
The Council calls upon the political leadership of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Bar Council, bar associations, civil society, the media and human rights representatives to establish, above party affiliation, a joint, unarmed, impartial and credible delegation without delay.
The JKJAAC Advisory Council is ready to facilitate as a single point of contact for the national fact-finding and reconciliation delegation visit to Rawalakot.
4. Proposed Mandate of the Delegation
• Visit the Rawalakot sit-in and affected areas to assess conditions directly;
• Hear separately and jointly from JKJAAC Core Committee representatives, residents, injured persons, bereaved families, the district administration, police and other relevant authorities;
• Include journalists, lawyers, medical professionals and impartial human rights observers;
• Preserve evidence concerning the alleged use of weapons, deaths, injuries, arrests and damage to property;
• Issue within 48 hours a preliminary public report setting out established facts, urgent recommendations and any disputed matters;
• Establish safe communication between the parties and facilitate de-escalation and formal negotiations.
5. Independent Investigation and Accountability
All deaths, injuries, arrests, allegations of unlawful force, armed activity or incitement should be examined through an independent, impartial, transparent and time-bound investigation. Its procedure, jurisdiction, arrangements for preserving evidence and protecting witnesses, and deadline for publication should be defined in writing in advance. No allegation should be presented as established fact without verifiable evidence.
6. Negotiation Framework
• The Government and the Joint Awami Action Committee should nominate delegations with authority to negotiate and make commitments;
• An initial meeting should be convened within 24 hours at a mutually acceptable neutral venue;
• The parties should adopt an agreed agenda, maintain a written record of decisions and set clear implementation deadlines;
• Measures to protect life and reduce tensions must continue before and throughout the negotiations;
• Where necessary, a mutually acceptable impartial facilitator or observer should be included.
7. Appeal to Political Leaders and State Institutions
Political leaders should not rely solely on closed-door briefings. They should hear directly from affected residents, protest representatives and relevant institutions. If elected representatives face any obstruction in visiting, meeting the parties or exercising their decision-making role, they should disclose it publicly in a responsible and verifiable manner.
The Council does not support hatred, threats or retaliation against any person, party or institution. Our sole purpose is to protect life, uphold the rule of law, establish the facts impartially and secure a dignified political solution. A peaceful route remains available, and every party has a duty to take it before further loss of life occurs.
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