The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains one of the most enduring conflicts on the global stage.

While fundamentally political in nature, it has increasingly acquired a profound human rights dimension that demands urgent international attention. Any durable resolution must reconcile both these aspects; addressing political aspirations while ensuring the protection of fundamental human rights. At the heart of the dispute lies the principle of self-determination, a cornerstone of the United Nations Charter. This principle affirms that peoples have the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development without coercion. The United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions of August 13, 1948, and January 5, 1949, outlined a framework for a plebiscite to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide their future. Despite initial acceptance, implementation of these resolutions has remained elusive for over seventy-eight years now.

The continued denial of this political process has contributed to deep frustration among Kashmiris. Over time, grievances have been compounded by allegations of political marginalization, erosion of local autonomy, and restrictions on civil liberties. The revocation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution in August 2019 marked a significant turning point, ending the region’s autonomous status and reorganizing it into two union territories.

This move has been........

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