Punnoos said that sexual crimes against women from minority communities in Pakistan continue even today. He called it “deplorable.” (Photo: X/IndiaUNNewYork)
India’s Charge d'Affaires at the United Nations, Eldos Mathew Punnoos, on Tuesday spoke strongly at the UN Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on ‘Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.’ He highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing sexual violence against women, tracing it back to 1971.
Punnoos said that sexual crimes against women from minority communities in Pakistan continue even today. He called it “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 currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, India reminded it of the Pakistan Army’s violations against Bangladeshi women in 1971.
Punnoos cited rampant abduction, trafficking, child marriages, forced marriages, domestic servitude, sexual violence, and forced religious conversions in Pakistan. These crimes target religious and ethnic minority communities.
“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 said.
He added that Pakistan’s judiciary often validates these crimes, making the situation worse.
“These reports highlight that its judiciary also validates the vile acts by Pakistan. Ironically, those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident,” Punnoos said.
Punnoos stressed that perpetrators of sexual violence must be punished, as these crimes leave long-lasting scars on communities.
“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.
He also underlined the importance of supporting victims while prosecuting 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,” Punnoos added.
Punnoos highlighted UNSC Resolution 2467 of 2019, which emphasises access to relief, healthcare, psychosocial care, safe shelter, legal aid, and rehabilitation for survivors.
“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 said.
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India was one of the first nations to contribute to the UN Secretary-General’s Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
“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,” Punnoos said.
Punnoos also highlighted India’s initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in UN operations.
“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.
India was the first country to deploy an all-women police unit to a UN mission in Liberia in 2007. Female contingents have also been deployed in MONUSCO, UNICEF, and UNMAS missions.
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“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 to address 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,” Punnoos said.
India is prepared to share its expertise with other countries through training programs, as discussed at the Conference of Women Peacekeepers from the Global South in New Delhi in February 2025.
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 spoke about India’s domestic measures, such as the Nirbhaya Fund, which has USD 1.2 billion dedicated to women’s safety, and the pan-India emergency response system through number 112.
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.
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“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 added.
Punnoos also noted India’s fast-track investigation and justice delivery programs to ensure proper handling of cases.
“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 swift case disposal,” he said.
Concluding his statement, Punnoos reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating sexual violence in conflict zones and supporting survivors.
“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 said.
