Statement by India under Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women Panel 1: Accountability for women and girls in humanitarian settings at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 13 July 2020) 

Madam President,

We thank the panelists for their valuable presentations on the discussion. Any humanitarian crisis affects the most vulnerable particularly women and girls.

Madam President,

2. We draw the attention of all that Pakistan has again misused the Council for its self-serving political purposes. We object to Pakistan bringing extraneous issues and tempering with internationally accepted legal norms and terms. India has robust mechanisms to deal with all issues including those instigated from outside.

3. We advise Pakistan to introspect at all its self-made humanitarian crisis in POJK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Baluchistan. The systemic suppression against political dissidents have resulted in deaths, internal displacement, insecurity and enormous human sufferings borne mostly by women. Impunity reigns supreme when it comes to state oppression in Pakistan. No one has been convicted of effecting thousands of enforced disappearances including women in Baluchistan. The rate of acquittal related to abductions, forceful conversions and blasphemy is incredibly high in Pakistan. Women could hardly report for any gender-based violence in POJK.

Madam President,

4. We remind the Council that Pakistan is the only country in South Asia that effected a State sponsored genocide in 1971 where millions of women were victims of atrocities with impunity. The Panelists should advise Pakistan to stop continuation of its culture of impunity in territories under its control.

Thank you, Madam President.