SLAMABAD: Leader of Kashmir women Mrs. Shamim Shawl joined two members ofEuropean Parliament at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to raisethe case of gang-rape and murder of eight-year-old Kashmiri girl Asifa Banoin Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).link#_>

This was one of the largest side-events during the 38th session of UN HumanRights Council (UNHRC) and saw extensive discussion on Asifa’s case and onKashmir, as the conflict now tops the humanitarian agenda of the Council,thanks to the first-ever UN report on Kashmir issued by UN HighCommissioner.

The International Kashmir Lobby Group (Youth Forum for Kashmir) playedimportant role in highlighting the issue. It is a non-partisan,international non-governmental organisation, working for the peacefulresolution of Kashmir Conflict in accordance with United Nations SecurityCouncil (UNSC) resolutions. Mrs. Shamim Shawl led this major side-event inher capacity as the Geneva representative of International Muslim WomenUnion (IMWU), in collaboration with a key American INGO, Women’s UN ReportNetwork (WUNRN).

Afton Beutler, Director of Global Education Opportunity Programme, an NGO,commended the work of rights defenders in highlighting India’s violationsin Kashmir. She singled out Mrs. Shawl’s diligent effort over the years tokeep members of the Council and human rights defenders informed aboutdevelopments in Kashmir.

Ms. Ward gave a detailed presentation on her long study of Indian humanrights violations in the disputed region. European Parliament Member, AlexMayer drew the attention of Kashmir activists to the fact that Britishmembers of European Parliament are often alone in talking about Kashmirconflict, and that there is a need for Kashmiri activists to reach out toEuropean Parliament members other than those from the United Kingdom. Ashort film on the case of Asifa was screened.