SNS KASHMIR
Srinagar December 05:
Despite international human rights bodies condemning the arrest of Kashmir-based Human Right Activist, Khurram Parvez, and demanding his “immediate release”, Khurram has been sent to 3-week judicial custody and shifted to Tihar Jail on Saturday.
Parvaiz’s wife, Sameena Mir told Free Press Kashmir that Khurram was presented in court yesterday.
“He has been sent to judicial custody up to December 23 and has been shifted to Tihar Jail,” Sameena said.
On November 22, National Investigation Agency raided Khurram’s house and took his phone, laptop and books from his study, and later arrested him.
After his formal arrest, criticism from across the world including, The Rafto Foundation, The United Nations Special Rapporteur, Amnesty International and The World Organization Against Torture, based in Geneva, poured in.
Amnesty International, referring to Khurram’s arrest, said that the Indian authorities have misused the “anti-terror law”.
“I’m hearing disturbing reports that Khurram Parvez was arrested on November 22 in Kashmir and is at risk of being charged by authorities in India with terrorism-related crimes. He’s not a terrorist, he’s a human rights defender,” Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, said in a tweet.
The Rafto Foundation, a body working for the global promotion of human rights released a statement which demanded, “immediately release Mr. Parvez,” who was working as programme coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and Chairman of the Board of Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD).
“We observe with regret that the Indian government intimidates citizens working to secure the values and norms enshrined both in the Constitution of India and in international treaties ratified by the government itself. We appeal to Indian authorities to respect Mr. Parvez’s habeas corpus rights and release him from detention without delay,” Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt, Director of the Rafto Foundation, said in a statement.