Geneva seminar highlights gender-based violence, human rights concerns in Indian-Occupied Kashmir

An international seminar titled “Gender-Based Violence in Context of Conflicts”, organized by the International Muslim Women Union in collaboration with the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), was held in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss gender-based violence in conflict situations, with a particular focus on Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to a message received here, the seminar examined issues relating to international human rights and humanitarian law, including allegations of sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and their impact on women in the region.

MIRPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2026) An international seminar titled “Gender-Based Violence in Context of Conflicts”, organized by the International Muslim Women Union in collaboration with the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), was held in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss gender-based violence in conflict situations, with a particular focus on Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to a message received here, the seminar examined issues relating to international human rights and humanitarian law, including allegations of sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and their impact on women in the region.

The participants discussed allegations that sexual violence had been used as a weapon of conflict, referring to incidents including Kunan Poshpora (1991), Khutha, Shopian, and other areas. Speakers said survivors and human rights organizations had documented alleged patterns of abuse by Indian security forces and argued that, if established, such acts could amount to violations of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. They also referred to reports issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2018 and 2019, which raised concerns regarding allegations of sexual violence, excessive use of force, and a lack of accountability.

The seminar further discussed the issue of enforced disappearances and the hardships faced by women described as "half-widows" and "half-wives," who, participants said, continue to face legal, economic, and social challenges while seeking information about missing family members.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

Speakers also highlighted the psychological and socio-economic impact of prolonged conflict on affected women, citing civil society documentation and OHCHR reports that referred to trauma, depression, social stigma, and economic marginalization.

The speakers emphasized the obligations of states under international legal frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Security Council's Women, Peace and Security agenda, to prevent, investigate, and address gender-based violence in conflict situations. Civil society representatives called for independent investigations, survivor-centred reparations, and implementation of relevant OHCHR recommendations. The seminar was moderated by Paras Zaffar, LLM, of the University of Geneva, while speakers included Carolyn Handschin-Moser, Director of the Office for UN Relations Geneva at the Women's Federation for World Peace International, Amélie d'Hausen, PhD scholar at the University of Geneva, Advocate Shia Saleem Qurashi, and Tahreem Bukhari, Assistant Director, CISS AJK.

APP/ahr/378