Speakers at Islamabad seminar express concern over the plight of Kashmiri women in IIOJK

Islamabad: Speakers at seminar expressed concern over the plight of women in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to the United Nations, OIC, and the international community to play their role in bringing Indian troops’ personnel involved in the abuse of Kashmiri women to justice.

The seminar was organized by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter in Islamabad on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The seminar was chaired by senior diplomat Niala Chohan.

The speakers expressed concern over the condition of women in IIOJK, stating that due to their exemplary role in the freedom struggle, Kashmiri women have been subjected to brutalities at the hands of Indian troops. These occupying troops have used the rape as a weapon of war against women.

They mentioned that the horrific incidents of rape and murder of women, from Kunan Poshpora to Shopian, are clear examples of Indian forces’ brutality. The speakers also stated that since 1989, Indian soldiers have forcibly disappeared or killed thousands of Kashmiri men in fake encounters after arrest, leaving women unsure whether their husbands are alive or martyred, forcing them to live as half-widows.

The speakers highlighted the fact that Indian soldiers have used pellet guns to blind hundreds of Kashmiri women and girls, including Hiba Nisar and Insha Mushtaq, in order to terrorize Kashmiri women.

They further pointed out that several prominent Kashmiri women, including Hurriyat leaders Asiya Andrabi, Fahmida Sufi, Nahida Nasreen, and over two dozen other women, are imprisoned for demanding the right to self-determination.

The speakers appealed to the United Nations, OIC, and human rights organizations to take notice of the suffering of Kashmiri women.