Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNS): The International as well as local support and solidarity for the release of Khurram Parvez, [Program Coordinator- JKCCS and Chairperson of Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)], has continuously been growing since his arrest and illegal detention under Public Safety Act. The human rights organizations and members of civil societies all across the world continue to condemn his illegal detention and there has been a persistent demand from all quarters of the global human rights movement for immediate and unconditional release of Khurram Parvez.
According to a statement issued to KNS,Today, FEMED [the Euro-Mediterranean Federation against Enforced Disappearances], a Paris based organization having 26 member associations from 12 countries sent a letter to the Embassy of India in Paris via electronic mail. FEMED expressed concern on the situation of human rights defenders in India, especially on Khurram’s illegal detention under PSA and his transfer to the a prison in Jammu region. The FEMED called it “a clear attempt to isolate Khurram Parvez, a well-known Human Rights Defender and Chairperson of AFAD, from his family and from legal assistance, constituting a clear threat to his integrity and physical security”. The FEMED in its letter to Indian Embassy in Paris demanded immediate release of Human Rights Defender, Khurram Parvez. (translated from French). Earlier letters were also sent to Indian Embassies in Argentina, Chile and in other latin American Countries.
Protest rally was also organized outside Indian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Two leading human rights organizations, Kontras and IKOHI of Indonesia held a protest rally outside Indian consulate in Jakarta and sought immediate release of JKCCS Coordinator and AFAD, Chairperson Khurram Parvez.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Likewise, Defense for Human Rights (a Pakistan based Human Rights organization) held a protest demonstration “Against Indian Brutality in Jammu & Kashmir” in the National Press Club, Islamabad. Students, activists and DHR members attended the protest. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a member of the national assembly representing minorities, also joined the action. The demonstrators carrying banners and placards of Khurram Parvez raised slogans of his immediate release. Defense for Human Rights Pakistan, is a member organization of Asian Federatioin against Involuntary Disappearances.
In another event at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 29, a joint protest was organized by People’s Union for Democratic Rights against the brutal violation of democratic rights and civil liberties in Kashmir and Chhattisgarh. The protestors demanded immediate release of Khurram Parvez and others arrested in Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.
JKCCS maintains that Khurram’s detention is a retaliatory measure against his courageous work in unearthing human rights abuses in Jammu Kashmir, the world’s most militarized zone. His illegal detention is part of the recent escalation of repressive measures, including nocturnal raids, arbitrary arrests and administrative detentions taken by the state in Jammu Kashmir to quell the ongoing mass anti-India uprising. (KNS)