Geneva/New Delhi/Lucknow, Jul 3 (Agencies / Bhaskar News): Expressing concern over rising cases of crime against women in India, the international community on Wednesday strongly condemned and crticised Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's remarks that "mistakes by boys happens sometimes. Rape accused should not be hanged".
During a meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) being organised in Geneva, experts on women's issues from across the globe held responsible controversial statements made by Indian leaders for increasing cases of rape and other crime against women in the country.
"CEDAW representatives have expressed concerns over rising number of crimes against women in India. It strongly criticised and condemned the insensitive remarks over women made by our political leaders. Replying to their criticism, an Indian preventative told the panel that Indian media blow some issues out of proportion," a Lucknow-based organisation, which is participating in the meeting, told Bhaskar News over phone.
Condemning the brutal gang rape and murder of two teenaged Dalit sisters in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district, the panel urged the Indian government to take immediate action against the perpetrators. It also called for addressing violence against women and girls across India.
When the panel sought details of the progress of probe into the horrific Badaun incident, Indian representatives said the case is being investigated by the country's top agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Regarding the alleged involvement of two police officials in the case, the Indian representatives told the panel that the guilty cops have been suspended. Dissatisfied with the answer, the panel said merely sacking the police men is not justice for the victims' families. The culprits should be brought to book.
Earlier, the United Nations has condemned the Badaun incident. "There should be justice for the families of the two teenage girls and for all the women and girls from lower caste communities who are targeted and raped in rural India. Violence against women is not a women’s issue, it’s a human rights issue," news agency PTI had quoted Resident Coordinator of the UN system in India Lise Grande as saying.
UN Chief Ban Ki-moon too had called the recent incidents of violence towards women in India and Pakistan "appalling".
"In recent days we have also seen other tragic incidents in which women have been the targets of appalling violence - from Pakistan to India to California and Nigeria. The world will never find true peace and prosperity if half the population faces discrimination and exploitation," Ban had said in remarks made to reporters in Toronto.
What is CEDAW?
It is a 23-member committee on women issues formed in 1982 by the United Nations. The General Assembly had approved its formation under the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
The committee monitors the implementation of national measures to addresses the issues of crime against women.
At each of its sessions, the panel reviews national reports of action taken to improve the situation of women. These reports are presented to the panel by government representatives of different countries.
The CEDAW also makes recommendations on any issue affecting women.