Her enchantment follows the most recent arrest of distinguished rights defender Khurram Parvez, who has been in detention for greater than a 12 months on costs associated to conspiracy and terrorism.  

“Indian authorities seem like intensifying the long-standing repression of Kashmiri civil society,” Ms. Lawlor mentioned.  “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 foremost counter-terrorism physique, the Nationwide Investigation Company.   

He was charged with financing terrorism underneath the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act, by his work with the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS).  The non-governmental group (NGO) relies 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 dealing with 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 looking for to make sure accountability and non-repetition of abuses,” she mentioned. 

Launch Kashmiri activists 

She recalled that UN human rights consultants have repeatedly highlighted grave considerations concerning the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act, which permits the designation of any particular person as a “terrorist”, bypassing the requirement to determine 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 known 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 Particular Rapporteur on freedom of peaceable meeting and of affiliation. 

Name for accountability 

“Time and time once more, the Authorities has been known as upon to deal with 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 unbiased rights consultants appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to observe 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.