Webinar in UK Condemn Indian Violence & Ongoing HRVs in IIOJK

The suffering of Kashmiris under Indian occupation in IIOJK is not just a regional tragedy but a global human rights crisis demanding urgent international intervention.

A recent webinar organized by Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK shed light on the harrowing human rights violations faced by Kashmiris generally and women specifically under Indian occupation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The participants emphasized that the plight of Kashmiri women is a severe humanitarian crisis that requires immediate attention from the global community.

The webinar, titled “The Silent Victims: Kashmiri Women’s Struggle Under Indian Occupation Since 1947,” called for a United Nations-led investigation into sexual violence and enforced disappearances in the region. Experts and human rights advocates at the event urged accountability for Indian war crimes and demanded the repeal of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA), which have been used to suppress dissent.

The discussion revealed the ongoing atrocities faced by Kashmiri women, including sexual violence as a tool of war, forced disappearances, and repressive laws that continue to perpetuate their suffering. The webinar was chaired by Fahim Kayani, President of TeK UK, and moderated by Rehana Ali, Information Secretary of TeK UK. The panel featured human rights activists, political leaders, and international advocates who condemned the widespread abuses in IIOJK.

In his opening remarks, Fahim Kayani praised the resilience of Kashmiri women, stating: “Despite enduring brutal military occupation, they have remained steadfast in their struggle for self-determination. The world must break its silence and take decisive action.” Rehana Ali highlighted the unjust imprisonment of female Kashmiri activists, including Asiya Andrabi, Naheed Nasreen, and Fehmeeda Sofi, who have been detained under oppressive laws like the PSA and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to silence their voices.

Former Councillor Summara Khurshid described Kashmiri women as “silent warriors” who continue to resist despite extreme oppression. Councillor Majid Hussain criticized the international community’s inaction, stating: “The world cannot ignore the voices of Kashmiris who have endured decades of violence, displacement, and enforced disappearances. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Turkish human rights activist Sheri Hamid condemned the impact of militarization on Kashmiri women, citing mass rapes like the Kunan-Poshpora incident of 1991 as undeniable proof of India’s war crimes. Palestinian poet Shahd Mahnavi, Chairman of the Global Pak Kashmir Supreme Council Raja Sikander Khan, and former Italian Councillor Iram Tahir also strongly denounced India’s oppressive policies in Kashmir, urging the international community to stand in solidarity with Kashmiri women.

The webinar concluded with a condemnation and a unified call for urgent global action, demanding justice for the victims and an end to the systemic oppression of Kashmiris.