This brief provides critical updates regarding the human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir (IAK) in order to facilitate States’ review of India during the fourth cycle of its Universal Periodic Review in a manner consistent with the purpose of the UPR – to improve the human rights situation in the subject state and globally.  The human rights situation in IAK has not improved since the third cycle of India’s UPR.  It has deteriorated in many respects.  India’s longstanding failure to improve the human rights situation in IAK has resulted in widespread, grave human rights violations and atrocity crimes in IAK, contributed to the deteriorating human rights situation in India and exacerbated grave risks to international peace and security.

This brief consists of four parts.  The first part enumerates key recommendations from the previous cycle of India’s UPR that have not been implemented in IAK.  The second part explains why it is critical for States to candidly address the human rights situation in IAK during the fourth cycle of India’s UPR.  The third part summarizes certain human rights violations in IAK that have escalated since the third cycle of India’s UPR.  The fourth part offers recommendations for States seeking to utilize the fourth cycle of India’s UPR to improve the human rights situation in IAK.