Arrest Of Khurram Parvez Brings Focus Back On Human Rights In Kashmir

The arrest of human rights activist Khurram Parvez has drawn global attention to the human rights situation in Kashmir.

The United Nations and international human rights organizations have requested the release of Khurram Parvez and an investigation into the alleged homicide of Hyderpora. They also expressed concern about the way journalists are being treated in the Valley.

Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, endorsed the UN human rights spokesman’s testimony on Khurram Parvez.

“Deeply concerned that my dear friend @KhurramParvez has been in custody for over a week. His commitment to human rights makes him brave and courageous, not a criminal or a terrorist. He should be released immediately, ”says Kerry Kennedy.

In his latest statement, UN human rights bureau spokesman Rupert Colville said UN human rights concerns were deeply concerned about the arrest of human rights defender Khurram Parvez in Kashmir under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

“The UN Human Rights Office is increasingly alarmed by the increase in the killings of civilians, including members of religious minorities, by armed groups in Indian-administered Kashmir this year. At the same time, civilians were killed by security forces in the course of anti-terrorist operations and their bodies were occasionally disposed of in secret. One such incident occurred on November 15, when a reported shooting in Srinagar’s Hyderpora area killed four people, including two civilians, ”the UN statement said.

India has already rejected the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) declaration on Khurram Parvez and the human rights situation in Kashmir, calling it “baseless and unfounded”. The “arrest and subsequent detention” was carried out “entirely in accordance with the statutory provisions”.

“We saw the statement by the spokesman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on certain incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. The statement makes unfounded and unfounded allegations against law enforcement and security forces in India, “Foreign Ministry official spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Khurram Parvez on November 22 after a day of extensive searches of his home and office in Jammu and the Kashmiri capital, Srinagar.

The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), a global network of over 200 NGOs fighting for human rights and against torture, said: “The arrest of KhurramParvez is another example of how anti-terrorism laws are being abused by the government to To dampen activists and critics for his immediate release. “

The Labor MP from Oldham East and Saddleworth has written to the Indian High Commissioner in London that Parvez was arrested by the National Investigation Agency after criticizing security forces for killing civilians in a controversial shootout with suspected rebels in Srinagar.

“My letter on behalf of the Kashmiri APPG to the Indian High Commissioner regarding the arrest of prominent human rights activist Khurram Parvez and the recent ‘shootings’ between Indian police and so-called insurgents affecting civilians,” the MP tweeted.

In the Hyderpora case, the police and security forces are accused by family members of three people killed that it was a staged shootout.

The Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances, a human rights organization directly addressing the issue of involuntary enforced disappearances in Asia, has also raised concerns about the human rights issue in Kashmir.

Fatia Maulidiyanti, Coordinator of the Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Indonesia, AFAD Council Member, said: “It is our shared responsibility to protect HRDS. #Khurram is one of the most sincere HRD working on a national, regional and international level. He never gave up despite endless threats and obstacles. We have to protect Khurram. “

In its most recent statement, dated October 1, 2021, UNCHR said: “I have written a joint notice to the Government of India on the unnecessary and excessive use of force by police on public streets against journalists and human rights defenders Chandrabhushan Tiwari and Aakash Hassan. and searches of the homes of journalist Qazi Shibli and his family. “

“We fear that these raids are a worrying example of a pattern of targeted harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir and raise other serious concerns about the ability of journalists to do their jobs without threats or intimidation.”

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