United Nations (UN) human rights experts have raised serious concerns over India’s military actions in Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir. In a report made public this week, they said India’s actions appeared to violate international law and fundamental human rights.
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The report, dated October 16, assessed India’s cross-border strikes and its decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in “abeyance.” The experts warned that these steps may have breached the rights to life, security, and sovereignty guaranteed under international conventions.
President @AAliZardari welcomes the report issued by United Nations human rights experts, which raises serious concerns over India’s military actions against Pakistan in May this year and its wider conduct affecting global and peace and stability.
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— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 19, 2025
UN special rapporteurs seek response from India
The United Nations raises serious concern over the recent actions by India that may violate international law and threaten human rights in Pakistan.#headlines #PakistanTV #PakistanTVGlobal pic.twitter.com/Zssg2urYGB
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) December 18, 2025
According to the report, India did not formally notify the UN Security Council that its military operation was an act of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The experts noted that international law prohibits the use of armed force against another state without strict legal justification.
They also expressed concern that India had not presented credible evidence linking the Pahalgam attackers to the Pakistani state. Without such proof, the experts said, India’s actions could amount to an unlawful use of force, potentially entitling Pakistan to exercise its own right of self-defence.
Beyond military action, the experts highlighted the human rights implications of suspending the IWT. They noted that Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus river system for agriculture, food security, livelihoods, and economic stability, particularly in Punjab and Sindh.
Any disruption in water flow, the report warned, could severely affect millions of people’s access to water, food, and a healthy environment. The experts stressed that water should never be used as a tool of political pressure and that states must avoid actions with harmful transboundary effects.
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They further observed that there appeared to be no valid legal grounds for unilaterally holding the treaty in abeyance. Even if countermeasures were claimed, the experts said such steps must not undermine fundamental human rights.
The report urged India to respond to the allegations, consider reparations for any violations, uphold its treaty obligations in good faith, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes, including the long-standing issue of occupied Kashmir.