MANHATTAN: This year on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual violence in Conflict the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “We cannot allow this already under-reported crime to slip further into the shadows. Perpetrators must be punished. Investment in recovery from the [COVID] pandemic must tackle the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence.”
UN noted that the pandemic had laid bare the intersecting inequalities that plague the societies, as compounded by conflict, displacement, and institutional fragility. The only solution for these overlapping ills is an injection of political resolve and resources equal to the scale of the challenge. UN holds that combating impunity for sexual violence is central in deterring and preventing conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) crimes. UN says it is also an essential component in redress for victims.
UN further maintains that among many other aspects, COVID-19 is significantly and detrimentally impacting the rule of law, including by limiting the availability and capacity of law enforcement and judicial authorities to respond to CRSV. It has further been noted by the UN that the pandemic hinders the processing of reports on incidents of sexual violence and risks deprioritizing services needed by survivors, including in shelters, health care services, police and justice sector services.
United Nations observes that the closed shelters, cancelled counselling services and diverted resources are also severely impacting a range of medical, psycho-social and legal services required to support CRSV survivors. UN notes that the fear of the virus spreading adds to barrier in accessing services. UN also observed that survivors of sexual violence might be less willing to seek help because of perceived risks of contracting COVID-19, fearing infection and potentially transmitting the virus to their families.
It has further been observed by the UN that stay-at-home restrictions have also contributed to an increase in domestic and gender-based violence. UN also noted that women and girls already in abusive situations are more exposed to increased control and abuse, with little or no recourse to seek support. It is pertinent to mention here that the chronic under-reporting of conflict-related sexual violence, due to stigma, insecurity, fear of reprisals, and lack of services, has been compounded by COVID-19 containment measures.
The world body observed that the lockdowns, curfews, quarantines, fears of contracting or transmitting the virus, mobility restrictions, and limited access to services and safe spaces, as shelters closed and clinics were repurposed for the pandemic response, added a layer of complexity to existing structural, institutional and socio-cultural barriers to reporting.
As international community observed International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pakistan reiterated its call for an end to sexual crimes against the people of IIOJK facing egregious human rights violations at the hands of Indian occupation forces.
“Life continues to be a double-edged sword for the women, girls and children living in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). They not only have to survive under occupation with their fundamental rights curtailed and suppressed, but also endure the threat of sexual violence and rape used to silence the people of IIOJK from demanding their legitimate right to self-determination, guaranteed under relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.
He said the Day signified common resolve to end all forms of violence, exploitation and human rights violations in conflict zones, besides reaffirming the principle of universality of all human rights, which apply equally in the conflict areas and occupied territories.
“On this Day, we must not forget the brave people of the IIOJK, who have been facing egregious human rights violations at the hands of Indian occupation forces,” he remarked.
The spokesperson said over thirty years have passed since the horrendous mass rape of Kashmiri women in Kunan Poshpura villages of IIOJK on 23 February 1991, yet the situation continues to remain dire.
He said since 5 August 2019, the sexual violence against all genders including children has drastically increased.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its two Kashmir reports, the UN Special Procedure Mandate Holders (SPMHs) in their joint communications, the international civil society and media in plethora of publications have expressed serious concerns on the widespread sexual violence being committed by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK and have demanded investigations by a UN Commission of Inquiry.
“Unfortunately, all these calls for prosecution of perpetrators have been blatantly rejected by India, which continues to reinforce a pervasive culture of impunity,” the spokesperson remarked.
He said the international community must take cognizance of the sexual crimes against the people of IIOJK and call upon India to respect its international obligations, especially those related to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the 4th Geneva Convention.
“On its part, Pakistan will continue to raise its voice against such heinous human rights violations”, he resolved.
PS: In 2015, the United Nations declared 19th June as the International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
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With input from APP
