Seminar calls for immediate due role of world community, rights forums to protect Kashmiri women from Indian state violence in IIOJK;

English , Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , Snippets , / Monday, December 2nd, 2024

Download this post as PDF

RAO SAROSH ALTAF:

MIRPUR ( AJK): December 2 : A grand seminar hosted to mark International Day of Violence against Women, at Hattiyan Bala town of Azad Jammu Kashmir Monday called upon global human rights organizations to immediately move to get stopped the increased human rights abuses including the Indian state-sponsored violence against innocent Kashmiri women in the strife-torn disputed Indian Illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir state.

Our Special Jammu and Kashmir state Correspondent Rao Sarosh Altaf reports from Mirpur AJK that the Institute of Dialogue, Development and Diplomatic Studies organised the seminar, with the collaboration of PGD College-Women’s titled “Kashmir Women the worst victim of Indian State terrorism on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was largely attended by the women folk besides human rights activists representing various rights’ defender forums.

The International Day of Violence Against Women reminds us of the global commitment to ending all forms of violence against women, reaffirmed by international laws and the moral responsibility of states. Violence against Kashmir women in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir stands as a grave violation of human rights that undermines the dignity and safety of the population of the Internationally-acknowledged disputed Indian Illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir state.

Addressing the seminar speakers said that the event reminded the reality that the States were always bound by international laws and resolutions, including the United Nations Resolution 1325, which acknowledges the impact of conflict on women and emphasises their role in peace-building and protection of human rights in the conflict zones.

Speakers continued that convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), mandates state parties to eliminate gender-based violence and ensure women’s rights without discrimination.
” Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms all individuals’ equality and inherent dignity, with special protections for vulnerable populations, including women”, they underlined.

Addressing the seminar, Principal of the Post Graduate College said that international law, even in disputed or conflict zones, ensures women’s safety, dignity, and equal rights. “This obligation extends to respecting local customs that hold women in high regard while preventing the misuse of such customs to justify violence”, she said emphasizing that the states must also adopt measures that prevent extrajudicial powers from being abused to target or oppress women. The women of Azad Jammu and Kashmir salute the resilience of the women of the Indian Illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir state.

“AJ&K women shall be the voice of the voice less IIoJK’ Women”, speakers resolved.

Veteran Kashmir freedom struggle leader
Dr Waleed Rasool said while speaking on this occasion that since Kashmir Women were the soft targets, the occupational troops of India used to take advantage to carry on the valance, and the Women were the first causality of the brutal occupation forces.

Dr. Rasool quoted the statements of the UN Secretary-General: “The fight against violence is a collective responsibility. Empowering women is not just a policy—it’s a necessity.” He said that Prominent Human Rights Activists: “Women deserve safety and respect, not fear. Violence against women is a crime against humanity.” He emphasised that” Our customs teach us to honour women. It is time we truly uphold those values by protecting them from harm so the AJ&K women shall be the voice of the voiceless Kashmiris.

Through a unanimously passed resolution-cum-declarion, the seminar declared that since Kashmir was an Internationally-acknowledged disputed territory and the Kashmir as an unresolved global dispute, Kashmiris struggle for securing the right-to-self-determination stood as a legitimate rights movement. “Thus, Kashmiris can raise their voices to implement the UN resolutions”, it said.

The declaration demanded that Kashmiri women caged in the TiharJail must be released with immediate effect as they are daughters of the soil, they must be given the legal remedy”, it urged.

It appealed to the international community including the international organizations cliaiming to be the champions of human rights to immediately intervene for earky release of the detained Kashmir freedom struggle women activists including Aasia Andrabi, Naheed Nasreen and Fahmeeda Sofi and others from Delhi’s infamous Tihar jail where they were languishing since half a decade.

The resolution further urged for the due role of the international community to intensify efforts to protect women’s rights globally, hold accountable those perpetuating violence and provide resources for advocacy and recovery.

“Governments, civil society, and global organisations must collaborate to create safe environments for women everywhere including the IIOJK like globally recognized. conflict zones”, the resolution concluded.