India is using Rape as a Weapon of War in IIOJK: WFP&J Report

A shocking report by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, accuses India of using rape as a strategic weapon in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Released at the 89th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), this report lays bare the horrific realities faced by Kashmiris in IIOJK.

Since 1990, over 10,000 women have reportedly been gang-raped by Indian troops, often brutalized on their way to weddings. Such violence is not merely an act of savagery; it’s a calculated strategy to instill fear and exert control over the population. Victims are left with profound psychological scars, suffering from rape trauma syndrome, where they are haunted by their experiences through relentless flashbacks and dreams.

The report references the 2019 findings from the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, which assert that women in IIOJK endure an unending cycle of terror. They live under siege, facing mass rapes, enforced disappearances, and killings. This systematic brutality is not an isolated incident; it is a part of a larger strategy of oppression employed by Indian security forces.

One of the most notorious incidents highlighted is the Kunan-Poshpora case, where 23 women were gang-raped by soldiers in 1991. Despite clear evidence and numerous eyewitness accounts, the Indian government has shamelessly denied these atrocities, blocking all attempts for justice. This impunity underscores a disturbing truth: India prioritizes its military agenda over human rights.

Dr. Fai urges the international community to condemn these heinous acts unequivocally. He calls for decisive action to end the violence against women in IIOJK. The report emphasizes the need for a genuine dialogue involving India, Pakistan, and the true representatives of the Kashmiri people. This is not merely a regional issue; it is a global humanitarian crisis.

The timing of this report is crucial, as the world increasingly recognizes the dire need to address violence against women, especially in conflict zones. Using rape as a weapon of war is a gross violation of human rights and international law. The silence of the international community is complicity.

It is imperative that action is taken to hold the perpetrators accountable. No longer can the global community turn a blind eye to the suffering of Kashmiri women. The atrocities must stop, and the voices of the victims must be heard. The time for change is now.