Geneva, September 25 (KMS): a seminar “Women in conflict and women’s advocacy on Kashmir” was conducted by International Muslim Women Union at United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Kashmiri representative, Altaf Hussain Wani chaired the seminar while the panelists included Ms Julie Ward, MEP from Brussels, Sirius Boyd from Global Facilitation Organisation. Dr G.Jourdan from Geneva, Dr Raheel Qazi, Shagufta Ashraf from University of Kotli, Sardar Ashraf from AJK and Ms Shamim Shawl.
The guests from London and Brussels highlighted the plight of suffering women and declared that they would be playing the dutiful role to highlight the sufferings of Kashmiri women. Julie Ward urged for urgent resolution of the dispute so that the next generation could be saved from the trauma.
Soriya Boyd called for end to all human rights violations by forces. Ms Shagufta highlighted the situation on the Line of Control.
Shamim shawl in her speech highlighted the latest situation of occupied Kashmir and appealed the audience and panelists to raise voice against it.
She highlighted sexual violence and expressed deep concern that such violence continued to occur as it is becoming systematic and widespread. She said rape and disappearances by the troops are now common practice in the territory.
Dr Raheel Qazi also expressed her views and demanded of the international community to help settle the lingering Kashmir dispute peacefully.
Meanwhile, Shagufta Ashref in her address at the 36th Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva appreciated the oral updates by the office of high commission for human rights. She said office of the high ommissioner has been contributing tremendously in mitigating the human rights violations around the globe.
She highlighted the human rights situations in Kashmir and demanded the body to take the stock of gross human rights violation perpetrated by Indian troops in the territory.