BERLIN (AP) — The United Nations' human rights chief is appealing to India and Pakistan to grant his office access to Kashmir amid "grave concerns" over alleged rights violations.

The UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said Wednesday he has been working to get observers to the parts of the disputed Himalayan region the two countries control since violence flared last month.

Zeid called it "unfortunate" access hasn't been granted yet considering "the seriousness of the allegations of the use of excessive force, allegations of state sponsorship of violence, as well as the number of people killed and the very large number of people injured."

The human rights office wants observers on the ground in Kashmir to interview victims, witnesses and security forces and to independently assess the situation.