Islamabad
Speakers at a webinar have strongly condemned the Modi-led fascist Indian regime for the unabated and systematic human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The webinar “Half Widows; a unique phenomenon in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, was organised by Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) in Islamabad. Moderated by the KIIR Chairman, Altaf Hussain Wani, the webinar was participated by British and European parliamentarians, human rights defenders, former diplomats and experts.
Distinguished panelists including Barrister Margaret Owen, Julie Ward, Raja Afzal Khan, Dr Shahid Amin Malik, Ambassador Nadeem Malik, Ms Sehar Shah (daughter of senior APHC leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah), Duke Salman Ilyas Khan, Prof Shagufta Ashraf and Ms Shani Hamid on the occasion highlighted the plight and unending miseries of the half widows who despite the passage of several years were still wandering from pillar to post to trace the whereabouts of their missing husbands.
The speakers called upon the international community particularly the United Nations to hold India accountable for the heinous crimes being committed by its armed forces in IIOJK.
In his opening remarks the KIIR Chairman, Altaf Hussain Wani, gave a detailed account of the problems faced by the families of victims of enforced disappearances in IIOJK, especially the Half-Widows, whose number has swelled to over 5,000.
Referring to the causes of human rights violations particularly the forced disappearances in the territory, he said that denial of right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir by the Indian government was the main reason behind the heinous crimes being carried out by the Indian forces in IIOJK.
Citing different reports released by the international and local human rights watchdogs, he said, “These reports vindicate our stance besides reflecting the fast-growing realization at global level about the dire human rights situation in IIOJK.—KMS
