August 28, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 25, 1429

UNITED NATIONS. Aug 27: The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Wednesday has voiced concern over the violent clashes between Indian security forces and protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir that have led to the killing of nearly 40 civilians.

Asked whether UN Secretary General had also taken note of the conditions on the Pakistan-India border, the spokesperson to the secretary general, Michelle Montas, said at a briefing that Secretary General Ban Ki Moon shared the concern expressed by the Human Rights Commissioner’s office.

The High Commissioner also called upon the Indian authorities and in particular security forces to respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression, and comply with international human rights principles in controlling the demonstrators,” according to a statement released at UN Headquarters in New York.

“The use of force should be proportionate to the threat posed and firearms must only be used in dispersing a violent assembly to protect individualsagainst an imminent threat of death or serious injury,” it added.

The Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for thorough and independent investigations into all killings that have occurred so far.