ASTHA PANDEY
In a firm address to the United Nations Security Council, India criticized Pakistan for its ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic minorities and for using gender-based violence as a tool of oppression. Eldos Mathew Punnoose, India’s Charge d’Affaires, highlighted the discrepancy between Pakistan’s public image as a human rights advocate and the harsh realities faced by minorities within its borders.
He recalled the atrocities by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War including mass sexual violence and said such attacks on minorities still happen today, unchecked and ignored by the authorities.
India drew attention to Pakistan’s systematic targeting of minority women through forced conversions, abductions, and child marriages. Punnoose asserted that these practices are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate pattern intended to suppress and intimidate marginalized communities, stripping away their basic rights and liberties.
Highlighting Pakistan’s frequent criticisms of India over human rights issues, Punnoose called out the hypocrisy in its international advocacy.
He called on Pakistan to address the serious human rights abuses at home instead of using them as a political tool against India. India pressed the global community to ensure Pakistan is held responsible and to stop systematic abuse of minorities, reaffirming its support for justice and equality.
This intervention reinforces India’s position as a defender of human rights and highlights the urgent need for international oversight to prevent the persecution of vulnerable communities.
By pointing out Pakistan’s long history of persecuting minorities and using gender-based violence as a weapon, India reminded the world that such crimes cannot be ignored. India called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable and to make sure that women and minority communities are protected from abuse and
exploitation.
India made it clear that it will continue to support justice, equality, and dignity for all, not just within its own borders but also on the global stage.
