NEW YORK: Pakistan’s teenage Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday called on the United Nations (UN), the international community and Pakistan and India to work together to halt “the inhumanity and heartbreak” in India-held Kashmir (IHK).

“The Kashmiri people, like people everywhere, deserve their fundamental human rights… They should live free of fear and repression,” Malala said.

“I call on the United Nations, the international community and India and Pakistan to work together with utmost urgency to right these wrongs, providing the people of Kashmir with the dignity, respect and freedom they deserve.”

Over 70 people have been killed in IHK during clashes with Indian forces after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani sparked protests across the region.

“Dozens of unarmed protesters have been killed and thousands wounded, including hundreds of people blinded by pellet guns used to put down demonstrations,” she said, adding that due to the weeks-long curfew imposed in IHK, “many schools have been closed… keeping children away from their classrooms.”

“I stand with the people of Kashmir,” she said. “My 14 million Kashmiri sisters and brothers have always been close to my heart.”