DiEM25 strongly condemns the arrest of Khurram Parvez, a prominent defender of human rights in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Parvez was detained on November 22 by the Indian counterterrorism agency in Srinagar and transferred to New Delhi for further questioning.

The activist has been documenting human rights violations, enforced disappearances, tortures, unmarked graves and extrajudicial killings in the region as programme coordinator for the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS).

He faces multiple terrorism charges, including those under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act that allow for detention without trial for extended periods, which are increasingly being used to target journalists, critics, peaceful protesters and human rights defenders across India.

We call on the Indian government to immediately release Khurram Parvez and others detained on political charges and to cease arbitrary detention and prosecution of persons exercising their civil and political rights under the guise of anti-terror legislation.

Western Hypocrisy

The Indian government’s unilateral annulment of Kashmir’s limited autonomy in August 2019 – effectively an annexation – was largely ignored as an “internal affair” by Western leaders.

Kashmiris are now under further assault, with moves on property ownership and residency rights that will significantly alter land tenure and demographics in the region.

These actions have had no effect on the West’s continued political, economic and military support to Modi’s India.

Contrast this to the continued denunciation of China’s mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims: yet another proof of double standards by Western leaders and media, with “support” of human rights for ethnic and religious minorities being nothing but empty posturing to be used according to their interests.

As a movement seeking to democratise Europe, we call on individuals, activists, trade unions and civil society organisations to condemn human rights abuses in Kashmir, and demand that our governments do the same. We need to loudly, boldly and firmly say: enough is enough!

Photo (c) Khurram Parvez Facebook page

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