Mushaal condemns India’s use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in IIOJK
Islamabad: Mushaal Hussein Malik, wife of incarcerated Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik and Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization, condemned the international community’s silence over the use of sexual violence by Indian forces as a weapon of war against Kashmiri women.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Mushaal expressed deep concern over the ongoing atrocities in IIOJK. She emphasized that Indian forces have crossed all limits of brutality to suppress dissenting voices, particularly targeting women with sexual violence.
Mushaal acknowledged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call to observe the day but urged him to raise awareness of the sexual violence in IIOJK and take concrete action to end these atrocities.
Mushaal highlighted that over 30,000 women have been widowed, and more than 90,000 children orphaned due to Indian atrocities in Kashmir. Thousands of women have been subjected to sexual violence, including gang rapes and abductions by Indian military personnel, often in the presence of male family members.
She called for accountability, referencing the infamous Kunan Poshpora mass rape of 1991, where no justice has been served despite years of efforts.
Mushaal lamented the international community’s inaction, calling for urgent intervention to address the plight of Kashmiri women. She urged the UN and human rights organizations to hold India accountable for these crimes.