On Friday, Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, urged Indian authorities to end their crackdowns against human rights defenders in Kashmir.
Overview
Lawlor accused the government of “intensifying the long-standing repression of Kashmiri civil society.” She added that New Delhi must be held accountable when it violates its human rights obligations.
In particular, the release by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) noted that Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez was already in detention since November 2021 on accusations of terrorism. Then, he was interrogated for two days by the National Investigation Agency and arrested on terrorism charges for a second time on 22 March.
#India must immediately end its crackdown against Kashmiri human rights defenders, said UN expert @MaryLawlorhrds , after defender Khurram Parvez was arrested in a 2nd case on terrorism charges: https://t.co/agmN01BJZ8 pic.twitter.com/MH6u0eKcCv
— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) March 24, 2023
In both cases, Parvez was charged for terror financing through work done by his Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). The release also highlighted that Irfan Mehraj, a former associate of JKCCS, was arrested in the same case on 20 March.
JKCCS’s former members and volunteers are facing coercion and intimidation, the UN expert stressed.
Lawlor claimed that JKCCS does “essential work monitoring human rights,” which helps international organisations in ensuring “accountability and non-repetition of abuses.”
She further outlined the repeated concerns by UN experts on the arrests made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which designates terrorists without requiring proof of affiliation with a banned group or association. The release stated that UAPA is used to coerce civil society, media houses, and human rights activists in Jammu and Kashmir.
India and Pakistan on Kashmir
Indian Ambassador to UN @IndiaUNNewYork @ruchirakamboj slams Pakistan for raking Kashmir at UN. Terms it 'malicious & false propaganda' https://t.co/MrmNxHWH56 pic.twitter.com/LYMKohaNRj
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 8, 2023
On a parallel note, India has repeatedly opposed attempts by Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue in international fora, calling it India’s internal matter.
Just last week, India’s Under Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs at the UN Human Rights Council rejected Pakistan’s “futile propaganda” to create disharmony in India.
Activist from Kashmir, India-- Tasleema Akhter tells UN body about human rights violations in PoK, says its a "matter of concern and full humanitarian crisis" pic.twitter.com/ux02amXjwZ
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 23, 2023
Meanwhile, Pakistan has repeatedly called on India to resolve the Kashmir dispute following UN Security Council resolutions on the conflict.
Last Thursday, Pakistani chargé d’affaires Salman Sharif reiterated this stand, adding that Pakistan “desires peaceful relations with all neighbouring countries, including India.”
However, Pakistan has previously stated that any negotiations on Kashmir will be contingent on reversing the Indian government’s abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status — a condition that New Delhi has outright rejected.