Latest news with #Punnoos
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sexual violence against women: India calls out Pakistan's 'duplicity' and 'hypocrisy' at UN; highlights irony
India's Charge d'Affaires at the United Nations, Eldos Mathew Punnoos NEW DELHI: In an address at the UN Security Council Open Debate on 'Conflict-Related Sexual Violence' on Tuesday (local time), India's Charge d'Affaires Eldos Mathew Punnoos brought attention to Pakistan's history of sexual violence since 1971. During his statement, Punnoos acused the neighbouring country of sexual crimes against minority communities' women in Pakistan, describing the situation as concerning. "The utter impunity with which the Pakistan army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful record. This deplorable pattern continues unabated and with impunity to this day," he said. Given Pakistan's current non-permanent membership in the UNSC, India also raised questions on the Pakistani Army's actions against Bangladeshi women in 1971. "Rampant abduction, trafficking, child early and forced marriages and domestic servitude, sexual violence and forced religious conversions of thousands of vulnerable women and girls as weapons of persecution towards religious and ethnic minority communities are reported and chronicled, including in the recent OHCHR reports," further said Punnoos. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Redefine Your Future with a Top Online MBA SRM Online Enquire Now Undo Punnoos claimed that Pakistan's judicial system validates these offences against women. "These reports highlight that its judiciary also validates the vile acts by Pakistan. It is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident." Further calling for accountability, Punnoos stated that perpetrators of such heinous abuse must be penalised as such crimes leave scars on the entire community of people. "Sexual violence in conflict zones not only destroys individual lives, but tears apart the very fabric of societies, leaving lasting scars on communities for generations," he said. Going on about relief and support, Punnoos said that to tackle the issue, both supporting victims and prosecuting abusers are essential. "A multifaceted approach is essential to address this crime and offer support to its survivors. This includes prosecuting and deterring such crimes in conflict situations, ensuring no impunity for perpetrators, and adopting a survivor-centric approach in prevention and response mechanisms," he said. He highlighted the importance of UNSC Resolution 2467 (2019), which stresses access for victims to relief and reparations, healthcare, psychosocial support, safe shelter, legal aid, and rehabilitation. "UNSC Resolution 2467 of 2019 has been instrumental in highlighting the need to provide victims access to national relief and reparations programs, health care, psychosocial care, safe shelter, legal aid, and facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration efforts to bring a semblance of normalcy to their lives," he added. Punnoos also highlighted that India was among the first nations to contribute to the UN Secretary-General's Trust Fund supporting victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. "The Secretary General's Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse is an important resource which should be further strengthened. India was among the first nations to contribute to this fund and remains committed to supporting such victims," he said while recalling India signing a voluntary compact with the UN in November 2017 on eliminating sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping, humanitarian, and development work. "Underlining the seriousness attached to the issue by India, Prime Minister Modi joined the circle of leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations. In our experience, the female engagement teams that India deployed in peacekeeping missions across conflict zones have been tremendously successful in connecting with local communities, addressing gender sensitive issues, engaging with victims and enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations," he further said. India has also pioneered women-led peacekeeping deployments, claimed the UN official representing India. "In 2007, we were the first country to deploy an all-women-formed police unit to the UN mission in Liberia. Today, we have successfully deployed female contingents in Monosco, UNICEF, and UNMAS with the objective of addressing conflict-related sexual violence. Building on this experience, the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in Delhi conducts specialised courses to increase participation of women in peacekeeping operations, including targeted training to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict," he said. India, he said, is ready to share this expertise globally. "India is ready to share this expertise and experience with interested member states through our comprehensive training programs. These initiatives were further discussed during the Conference of Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, held in New Delhi in February 2025," he said. Punnoos also pointed to domestic measures for women's safety that could guide other nations. "India has implemented a comprehensive domestic strategy for women's safety. It could offer insights for ensuring access to life-saving services and protection for survivors in conflict situations. First, dedicated resources," he added, referring to to the Nirbhaya Fund, with USD 1.2 billion allocated for women's safety initiatives "dedicated to ensuring safe environments for women, implementing legislation effectively, and creating a comprehensive infrastructure for swift justice and crisis support". Punnoos concluded with a strong reaffirmation of India's stance. "As I conclude, allow me to once again reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to root out sexual violence in armed conflict and support and assist survivors of such heinous crimes," he added.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Shameful record since 1971: India shreds Pakistan at UN over sexual violence
India hit out at Pakistan at the UN after Islamabad alleged that women in Jammu and Kashmir were being targeted with sexual violence, sharply reminding its neighbour of its own "deplorable" track record of crimes against at the UN Security Council's open debate on conflict-related sexual violence on Tuesday, Indian diplomat Eldos Mathew Punnoos made it clear that Pakistan had no moral standing to lecture utter impunity with which the Pakistan Army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful record," said Punnoos, India's Charge d'Affaires at the UN. He added that women and girls in Pakistan's minority communities continue to face abduction, trafficking, forced marriage and religious conversion even today. The country's judiciary also validates these crimes against women, Punnoos pointed out."It is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident," he said. According to a 2024 report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization, Pakistan reported more than 24,000 cases of abductions and kidnappings, 5,000 cases of rape, and 500 cases of "dishonour" killings last year. Many victims in the Sindh province were Hindu minority girls forced into marriage and religious conviction rates remain abysmally low, below 2 per calling for accountability, Punnoos stressed that survivors need comprehensive support, from health care to legal aid. "Perpetrators of heinous acts of conflict-related sexual violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and brought to justice," he envoy also highlighted India's own efforts to tackle gender-based violence both at home and in global peacekeeping missions. India was among the first countries to contribute to the UN Secretary-General's Trust Fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, he said, and in 2017 signed a voluntary compact with the UN to eliminate such crimes in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India joined the circle of leadership on preventing sexual exploitation in UN operations. Punnoos pointed out that India deployed the first all-women police unit to Liberia in 2007 and continues to send female contingents to UN teams, he said, have been "tremendously successful in connecting with local communities and addressing gender-sensitive issues".Domestically, Punnoos said India has created dedicated systems to protect women, including the $1.2 billion Nirbhaya Fund for women's safety, a nationwide emergency response number (112), and Sakhi One Stop Centers offering police, medical, and legal support across districts."India has implemented a comprehensive domestic strategy for women's safety. It could offer insights for ensuring access to life-saving services and protection for survivors in conflict situations," he told the UNSC.- EndsTune InMust Watch
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Shameful Record Since 1971": India Slams Pakistan At UN Over Sexual Violence
India's Charge d'Affaires at the United Nations, Eldos Mathew Punnoos, on Tuesday (local time) highlighted the sexual violence perpetrated by Pakistan ever since 1971. Punnoos, while delivering India's statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate on 'Conflict-Related Sexual Violence,' said that sexual crimes against women from minority communities in Pakistan continue even today, which is deplorable. "The utter impunity with which the Pakistan army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful record. This deplorable pattern continues unabated and with impunity to this day," he said. #IndiaAtUN Cd'A @eldosmp delivered 🇮🇳's statement at the @UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-related Sexual Violence today. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy — India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) August 19, 2025 With Pakistan serving as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, India reminded it of the Pakistani Army's violations against Bangladeshi women in 1971. "Rampant abduction, trafficking, child early and forced marriages and domestic servitude, sexual violence and forced religious conversions of thousands of vulnerable women and girls as weapons of persecution towards religious and ethnic minority communities are reported and chronicled, including in the recent OHCHR reports," he added. He further stated that the conservative country's judiciary also validates these deplorable crimes against women. "These reports highlight that its judiciary also validates the vile acts by Pakistan. It is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident," he said. Punnoos said that the perpetrators of such heinous abuse must be penalised as such crimes leave scars on the entire community of people. "Perpetrators of heinous acts of conflict-related sexual violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and brought to justice. Sexual violence in conflict zones not only destroys individual lives, but tears apart the very fabric of societies, leaving lasting scars on communities for generations," he said. Punnoos said that to tackle this issue, support for the victims is essential and prosecuting the abusers. "A multifaceted approach is essential to address this crime and offer support to its survivors. This includes prosecuting and deterring such crimes in conflict situations, ensuring no impunity for perpetrators, and adopting a survivor-centric approach in prevention and response mechanisms," he said. "UNSC Resolution 2467 of 2019 has been instrumental in highlighting the need to provide victims access to national relief and reparations programs, health care, psychosocial care, safe shelter, legal aid, and facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration efforts to bring a semblance of normalcy to their lives," he added. Punnoos further highlighted that India was one of the first nations to address the issue by contributing to the Secretary General's Trust Fund. "Mr. President, the Secretary General's Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse is an important resource which should be further strengthened. India was among the first nations to contribute to this fund and remains committed to supporting such victims," he said. "Our dedication to the cause can be seen from the fact that in November 2017, a voluntary compact was reached between the UN Secretary-General and the Government of India on commitment to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping, humanitarian and development work," he added. He further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India joined the circle of leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations, which underscores its seriousness towards the issue. "Underlining the seriousness attached to the issue by India, Prime Minister Modi joined the circle of leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations. In our experience, the female engagement teams that India deployed in peacekeeping missions across conflict zones have been tremendously successful in connecting with local communities, addressing gender sensitive issues, engaging with victims and enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations," he said. Punnoos added that India formed an all-women police unit and deployed them in various places to address the objective of countering sexual violence. "In 2007, we were the first country to deploy an all-women-formed police unit to the UN mission in Liberia. Today, we have successfully deployed female contingents in Monosco, UNICEF, and UNMAS with the objective of addressing conflict-related sexual violence. Building on this experience, the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in Delhi conducts specialised courses to increase participation of women in peacekeeping operations, including targeted training to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict," he said. He stated that India was prepared to share its expertise with interested countries, a point they also discussed during the Conference of Women Peacekeepers from the Global South. "India is ready to share this expertise and experience with interested member states through our comprehensive training programs. These initiatives were further discussed during the Conference of Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, held in New Delhi in February 2025," he said. "India has implemented a comprehensive domestic strategy for women's safety. It could offer insights for ensuring access to life-saving services and protection for survivors in conflict situations. First, dedicated resources," he added. Punnoos further said that through the Nirbhaya Fund, India is dedicated towards the establishment of safe environments for women. "India established the Nirbhaya Fund, a non-lapsable fund with approximately USD 1.2 billion for women's safety. It is dedicated to ensuring safe environments for women, implementing legislation effectively, and creating a comprehensive infrastructure for swift justice and crisis support. Member states could consider creating similar dedicated resources," he said. Punnoos said that a pan-India emergency response support system was established in India through Emergency Number 112 for Women's Safety Issues, among other response mechanisms. "Second, response mechanisms. India operates a pan-India emergency response support system through Emergency Number 112 for Women's Safety Issues. Sakhi One Stop Centers established at each district headquarters provide comprehensive services including police assistance, medical care, and legal aid among others to offer protection and rehabilitation with shelter and economic security," he said. Punnoos said that India has established training programmes to fast-track investigations and delivery of justice to women. "Member states could consider replicating this model. Finally, justice delivery. Comprehensive training programs have been developed for investigation and prosecution, and for medical officers to ensure forensic evidence collection withstands judicial scrutiny," he said. "As I conclude, allow me to once again reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to root out sexual violence in armed conflict and support and assist survivors of such heinous crimes," he added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
At UN, India Blasts Pakistan Over Sexual Violence In Conflict: 'Shameful Record Since 1971'
Last Updated: India reminded the Council that Pakistan continues to persecute minority women through abductions, forced conversions, early marriages, trafficking, and other abuses India strongly rebuked Pakistan at the United Nations on Tuesday, accusing its military of a long and continuing history of sexual violence in conflict situations, dating back to the atrocities of 1971. Speaking at the UN Security Council's Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, India's Charge d'Affaires Eldos Mathew Punnoos said Islamabad's 'shameful record" began during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 and persists to this day. 'The utter impunity with which the Pakistan army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful record. This deplorable pattern continues unabated and with impunity to this day," Punnoos said. India reminded the Council that Pakistan, while currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, continues to persecute minority women through abductions, forced conversions, early marriages, trafficking, and other abuses. Calling out Islamabad's 'duplicity," he said, 'These reports highlight that its judiciary also validates the vile acts by Pakistan. It is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident." Punnoos stressed that perpetrators must be held accountable and that support for survivors is critical. 'Perpetrators of heinous acts of conflict-related sexual violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and brought to justice. Sexual violence in conflict zones not only destroys individual lives but tears apart the very fabric of societies, leaving lasting scars on communities for generations," he said. The Indian envoy outlined a multi-pronged approach to combat sexual violence in conflict, emphasising survivor-centric mechanisms, accountability, and comprehensive rehabilitation. He pointed to the importance of UNSC Resolution 2467 (2019), which calls for access to relief, reparations, medical and psychosocial support, legal aid, and reintegration of victims. Highlighting India's global and domestic contributions, Punnoos recalled that New Delhi was among the first to contribute to the UN Secretary-General's Trust Fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. He also noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership role in UN initiatives on preventing sexual exploitation in peacekeeping operations. India's peacekeeping record was also cited, with Punnoos recalling the deployment of the world's first all-women police unit to Liberia in 2007, and more recent female contingents in MONUSCO, UNICEF, and UNMAS missions. Training programs in New Delhi now specialise in gender-sensitive peacekeeping and preventing conflict-related sexual violence. At the domestic level, India has implemented wide-ranging safety and justice mechanisms for women, including the USD 1.2 billion Nirbhaya Fund, a nationwide emergency response system through 112, and Sakhi One Stop Centres at district headquarters offering shelter, legal aid, and medical assistance. Fast-track courts and specialised training programs for investigators and medical officers are also part of the model India has developed to ensure swift and fair justice. 'As I conclude, allow me to once again reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to root out sexual violence in armed conflict and support and assist survivors of such heinous crimes," Punnoos said. view comments First Published: August 20, 2025, 08:13 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
India at UN raps Pakistan over sexual violence against women ever since 1971
ANI India at UN raps Pakistan over sexual violence against women ever since 1971 India's Charge d'Affaires at the United Nations, Eldos Mathew Punnoos, on Tuesday (local time) highlighted the sexual violence perpetrated by Pakistan ever since 1971. Punnoos, while delivering India's statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate on 'Conflict-Related Sexual Violence,' said that sexual crimes against women from minority communities in Pakistan continue even today, which is deplorable. "The utter impunity with which the Pakistan army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful record. This deplorable pattern continues unabated and with impunity to this day," he said. With Pakistan serving as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, India reminded it of the PakistArmy's violations against Bangladeshi women in 1971. — IndiaUNNewYork (@IndiaUNNewYork) "Rampant abduction, trafficking, child early and forced marriages and domestic servitude, sexual violence and forced religious conversions of thousands of vulnerable women and girls as weapons of persecution towards religious and ethnic minority communities are reported and chronicled, including in the recent OHCHR reports," he added. He further stated that the conservative country's judiciary also validates these deplorable crimes against women."These reports highlight that its judiciary also validates the vile acts by Pakistan. It is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident," he said that the perpetrators of such heinous abuse must be penalised as such crimes leave scars on the entire community of people."Perpetrators of heinous acts of conflict-related sexual violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and brought to justice. Sexual violence in conflict zones not only destroys individual lives, but tears apart the very fabric of societies, leaving lasting scars on communities for generations," he said that to tackle this issue, support for the victims is essential and prosecuting the abusers."A multifaceted approach is essential to address this crime and offer support to its survivors. This includes prosecuting and deterring such crimes in conflict situations, ensuring no impunity for perpetrators, and adopting a survivor-centric approach in prevention and response mechanisms," he said. "UNSC Resolution 2467 of 2019 has been instrumental in highlighting the need to provide victims access to national relief and reparations programs, health care, psychosocial care, safe shelter, legal aid, and facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration efforts to bring a semblance of normalcy to their lives," he further highlighted that India was one of the first nations to address the issue by contributing in the Secretary General's Trust Fund."Mr. President, the Secretary General's Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse is an important resource which should be further strengthened. India was among the first nations to contribute to this fund and remains committed to supporting such victims," he said. "Our dedication to the cause can be seen from the fact that in November 2017, a voluntary compact was reached between the UN Secretary-General and the Government of India on commitment to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping, humanitarian and development work," he further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India joined the circle of leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations, which underscores its seriousness towards the issue."Underlining the seriousness attached to the issue by India, Prime Minister Modi joined the circle of leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations. In our experience, the female engagement teams that India deployed in peacekeeping missions across conflict zones have been tremendously successful in connecting with local communities, addressing gender sensitive issues, engaging with victims and enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations," he added that India formed an all-women police unit and deployed them in various places to address the objective of countering sexual violence."In 2007, we were the first country to deploy an all-women-formed police unit to the UN mission in Liberia. Today, we have successfully deployed female contingents in Monosco, UNICEF, and UNMAS with the objective of addressing conflict-related sexual violence. Building on this experience, the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in Delhi conducts specialised courses to increase participation of women in peacekeeping operations, including targeted training to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict," he stated that India was prepared to share its expertise with interested countries, a point they also discussed during the Conference of Women Peacekeepers from the Global South."India is ready to share this expertise and experience with interested member states through our comprehensive training programs. These initiatives were further discussed during the Conference of Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, held in New Delhi in February 2025," he said."India has implemented a comprehensive domestic strategy for women's safety. It could offer insights for ensuring access to life-saving services and protection for survivors in conflict situations. First, dedicated resources," he further said that through the Nirbhaya Fund, India is dedicated towards the establishment of safe environments for women."India established the Nirbhaya Fund, a non-lapsable fund with approximately USD 1.2 billion for women's safety. It is dedicated to ensuring safe environments for women, implementing legislation effectively, and creating a comprehensive infrastructure for swift justice and crisis support. Member states could consider creating similar dedicated resources," he said. Punnoos said that a pan-India emergency response support system is established in India through Emergency Number 112 for Women's Safety Issues, among other response mechanisms."Second, response mechanisms. India operates a pan-India emergency response support system through Emergency Number 112 for Women's Safety Issues. Sakhi One Stop Centers established at each district headquarters provide comprehensive services including police assistance, medical care, and legal aid among others to offer protection and rehabilitation with shelter and economic security," he said that India has established training programmes to fast-track investigations and delivery of justice to women."Member states could consider replicating this model. Finally, justice delivery. Comprehensive training programs have been developed for investigation and prosecution, and for medical officers to ensure forensic evidence collection withstands judicial scrutiny. Fast-track special codes dedicated to women's safety have revolutionised justice delivery through sift case disposal," he said."As I conclude, allow me to once again reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to root out sexual violence in armed conflict and support and assist survivors of such heinous crimes," he added.
