Brussels: Global community’s silence on atrocities against Kashmiri women alarming: Kashmir Women’s Conference

Brussels: The speakers at the International Women’s Conference organized by the Kashmir Council EU in Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union, expressed deep concern over the global community’s silence regarding India’s oppression against Kashmiri women.

The Kashmir Council Europe held the Kashmir Women’s Conference at the European Press Club Brussels, where the atrocities committed by Indian forces against women in occupied Jammu and Kashmir were strongly highlighted.

The conference was attended by prominent figures. Speakers included Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe, European figure Ella Farooqi, Kashmiri Scholar Amna Iqbal Sardar, and young Kashmiri intellectual Wasi Syed. The event was moderated by Human Right Activist Naveen Qayyum.

The speakers stated that Indian forces in occupied Kashmir are systematically targeting women with violence. Tragic incidents such as the mass rape of women in Kunan Poshpora in 1991 and the brutal killings of Aasiya and Neelofar in 2009 continue to reopen wounds for the Kashmiri people, with victims still denied justice.

They emphasized that these are not minor incidents but part of a planned and horrific state policy where violence against women is used as weapons of war. Global human rights organizations have repeatedly exposed these crimes, yet Indian forces enjoy complete impunity.

The speakers said, we will continue to raise our voices at international forums against violence on women in occupied Kashmir.

Over 30 women participated in the conference, raising their voices in solidarity with Kashmiri women and urging the world’s conscience to awaken. Attendees stressed that the time has come for the international community to break its silence on the oppression faced by Kashmiris, particularly women, press India to end the atrocities, and release all Kashmiri prisoners—including human rights defender Khurram Parvez and prominent Kashmiri political leader Yasin Malik.

Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed said that peace is related to justice and until Kashmiris get justice, there can be no lasting prosperity and sustainable peace in the entire South Asian region. It is the long-standing desire of Kashmiris that permanent peace be established in the region and the people of the region live a prosperous life.

He concluded by thanking all speakers, participants, and especially the Kashmir Council EU team for their key role in organizing this important event.