MIRPUR (Kashmir English): Speakers at an International Women’s Conference have expressed deep concern over the world community’s silence on India’s oppression against Kashmiri women in occupied Kashmir.
The moot was organized by the Brussels-based Kashmir Council (European Union) in Belgium’s city of Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union.
The Kashmir Council Europe hosted the Kashmir Women’s Conference at the European Press Club Brussels late Friday where speakers highlighted in detail the atrocities committed by Indian occupational forces against women in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) state, according to a message reaching here on Saturday.
The conference brought together prominent figures including Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe; European figure Ella Farooqi; Kashmiri scholar Amna Iqbal Sardar; and young Kashmiri intellectual Wasi Syed. The event was moderated by Human Right Activist Naveen Qayyum.
Speaking on the occasion, the participants said that Indian forces in occupied Kashmir are systematically targeting women with brute violence.
“Tragic incidents such as the mass rape of women in Kunan Poshpora in 1991 and the brutal killings of Aasiya and Neelofar in 2009 continue to reopen wounds for the Kashmiri people, with victims still denied justice.”
The speakers emphasized that these are not minor incidents but part of a planned and horrific state policy where violence against women is used as weapons of war.
Global human rights organizations have repeatedly exposed these crimes, yet Indian forces enjoy complete impunity, they lamented.
Violence on women in occupied Kashmir
The speakers vowed to continue raising voices at international forums against violence on women in occupied Kashmir.
Over 30 women participated in the conference just to raise their voice in solidarity with Kashmiri women and urging the world’s conscience to awaken.
Attendees were of the view that the time has come for the global community to break its silence on the oppression faced by Kashmiris, particularly women and press India to end the atrocities and release all Kashmiri prisoners including human rights defender Khurram Parvez and prominent Kashmiri political leader Yasin Malik.
Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed said that peace is related to justice and until Kashmiris get justice, there can be no lasting peace in the entire South Asian region.
“It is the long-standing desire of Kashmiris that permanent peace be established in the region and the people of the region live a prosperous life.”
He thanked speakers, participants, and especially the Kashmir Council EU team for their key role in organizing the event.
