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. 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. Go to Source
