Panel Discussion on Plight of Women in IIOJK
To mark International Human Rights Day, a Panel Discussion was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the plight of women in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). The talk was attended by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, Parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations and the think tank community.
Panelists included human rights activist Mushaal Hussein Mullick; former Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Farzana Yaqoob; Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Andaleeb Abbas as well as Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice, Barrister Maleeka Bukhari. Director General Kashmir Cell Sadia Altaf Qazi hosted the event.
Discussions focused on the atrocities being committed against women in IIOJK by Indian occupation forces and the physical, psychological, social and economic ramifications of these actions. Psychiatrist Dr. Asma Humayun dilated upon the mental health aspect of the situation.
In his address, Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the human rights and humanitarian dimension of the Kashmir issue in the context of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He underlined the need to project the plight of the Kashmiri people. The Foreign Minister called on the international community to take note of the atrocities being committed by Indian occupation forces, hold India to account and review engagement with it. India should be urged to fulfill its human rights obligations. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of IIOJK, including the women.
During the event, participants were shown documentaries and first-hand accounts of human rights abuses being perpetrated against the women of IIOJK.
Islamabad
10 December 2020