Pakistan urges world to end 'sexual crimes' against Kashmiri women

International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed on Saturday

KARACHI:

Expressing concern over "rising sexual violence" in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Pakistan has urged the world to take cognisance of the alleged sexual crimes against Kashmiri women.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Islamabad on Saturday urged the international community to join hands for bringing an end to "all forms of violence, exploitation and human rights violations" in conflict zones.

"On this day, we must not forget the brave people of the IIOJK, who have been facing egregious human rights violations at the hands of Indian occupation forces," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Read: ‘Restoration’ of old IIOJK status on cards

"Life continues to be a double-edged sword for the women, girls and children living in IIOJK. They not only have to survive under occupation with their fundamental rights curtailed and suppressed, but also endure the threat of sexual violence and rape used to silence the people of IIOJK from demanding their legitimate right to self-determination, guaranteed under relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the statement added.

Recalling the horrendous mass rape of Kashmiri women in the Kunan and Poshpora villages of IIOJK on February 23, 1991, it said that "yet the situation continues to remain dire."

Read more: Pakistan takes India’s IIOJK move to UNSC

Citing reports of several human rights groups, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in favour of its argument, Islamabad contended that the sexual violence against all genders as well as children has drastically increased since India scrapped the occupied valley's long-standing semi-autonomous status in August 2019.