Her attraction follows the newest arrest of distinguished rights defender Khurram Parvez, who has been in detention for greater than a 12 months on expenses associated to conspiracy and terrorism.
“Indian authorities look like intensifying the long-standing repression of Kashmiri civil society,” Ms. Lawlor said. “The State should respect its human rights obligations and be held accountable the place it violates them.”
Interrogation and arrest
Mr. Parvez has documented critical human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and has been detained since November 2021.
He was arrested on Wednesday in a second case after two days’ interrogation by India’s major counter-terrorism physique, the Nationwide Investigation Company.
He was charged with financing terrorism below the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act, by way of his work with the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). The non-governmental group (NGO) is predicated within the metropolis of Srinagar.
Coercion and intimidation
Previous to his arrest, former JKCCS affiliate Irfan Mehraj, a journalist and human rights activist, was arrested as a part of the identical case on Monday in Srinagar. He was instantly transferred to India’s capital, New Delhi.
Ms. Lawlor mentioned JKCCS associates and volunteers are going through coercion and intimidation from the authorities, noting that the NGO carries out important work monitoring human rights.
“Their analysis and evaluation of human rights violations are of giant worth, together with to worldwide organisations searching for to make sure accountability and non-repetition of abuses,” she mentioned.
Launch Kashmiri activists
She recalled that UN human rights specialists have repeatedly highlighted grave issues concerning the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act, which permits the designation of any particular person as a “terrorist”, bypassing the requirement to ascertain membership of, or affiliation with, banned teams.
She mentioned the Act is utilized as a method of coercion towards civil society, the media, and human rights defenders in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Lawlor referred to as for Kashmiri human rights defenders to be launched and for investigations towards them to be closed. Her assertion was endorsed by Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
Name for accountability
“Time and time once more, the Authorities has been referred to as upon to handle the basic points with the nation’s anti-terrorism framework and its misuse to smear and silence human rights defenders,” she mentioned.
“The arrest and detention of individuals for exercising their human rights are arbitrary. There have to be accountability and treatment the place such abusive actions are taken.”
About UN Particular Rapporteurs
Particular Rapporteurs are impartial rights specialists appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to watch and report on particular thematic points or nation conditions.
They aren’t UN employees and don’t obtain a wage for his or her work.