27/07/2026
Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign
Urgent Appeal to the International Working Class and Human Rights Organisations
The people of Jammu Kashmir appeal to the international working class, trade unions, socialist organisations, progressive movements, and human rights organisations to stand in solidarity with their democratic struggle against repression and injustice.
Today, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) announced a long march towards Muzaffarabad to demand justice and the protection of democratic rights. According to reports from organisers and local sources, as the peaceful procession entered the city of Rawalakot, paramilitary and security forces opened fire and used tear gas and shelling against the demonstrators. Reports indicate that at least five people have been killed and hundreds have been injured. Operation is still continuing and there are chances of more deaths and injuries. These reports require urgent international attention, independent verification, and accountability.
Workers, students, farmers, and ordinary people in Jammu Kashmir are facing an escalating campaign of state repression. Reports of civilian deaths, hundreds of injuries, arbitrary arrests, the use of force against peaceful protesters, and restrictions on access to food, medicine, and medical treatment demand immediate international scrutiny.
We call upon workers' organisations, trade unions, socialist organisations, left-wing political parties, youth organisations, women’s movements, democratic forces and human rights defenders of the region and across the world to raise their voices in defence of democratic rights. An injury to one section of the working class is an injury to all. The struggle for justice in Kashmir is inseparable from the global struggle against oppression, authoritarianism, militarisation, and exploitation.
We demand that the Government of Pakistan immediately end the use of violence against peaceful protesters, release all those arbitrarily detained, restore access to food and medical supplies, and fully respect the democratic rights of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political organisation. Social and political grievances must be addressed through dialogue and democratic participation—not through coercion, intimidation, or state violence.
We also appeal to all overseas Kashmiri political organisations, trade unions, student groups, civil society organisations, and human rights defenders to unite in defence of the people, regardless of political or ideological differences. The protection of human life and democratic freedoms must take precedence over all partisan considerations.
We demand an independent, transparent, and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force and human rights violations. Those responsible for any unlawful use of force must be held accountable, while the rights of civilians to organise, protest, and receive medical care must be fully protected.
History has repeatedly shown that democratic rights are not gifts from governments but are won and defended through the collective struggle of ordinary people. The international labour movement has a proud tradition of standing with oppressed peoples across borders, rejecting chauvinism , militarism, and repression wherever they occur.
We therefore call upon workers, trade unions, socialist organisations, progressive intellectuals, journalists, and human rights activists of the region and across the world to express solidarity with the people of Jammu Kashmir, expose the ongoing repression, organise solidarity actions, and demand an immediate end to violence against peaceful civilians.
The people of Jammu Kashmir deserve peace, justice, dignity, democratic freedoms, and social equality. Their struggle is part of the broader struggle of working people everywhere against exploitation, oppression, and state repression.
Let’s unite in defence of justice, democratic freedom, and human dignity. International solidarity is our strongest weapon.
