Khurram Parvez
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Short description|Indian human rights activist}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Khurram Parvez
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Khurram Parvez.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1977
| birth_place = Srinagar, Kashmir, India
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| other_names =
| known_for = Human rights work
| occupation = Chairperson, Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)
| spouse = Sameena Khurram
| children = 2
| awards = Reebok Human Rights Award (2006)
Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (2023)
| honours = Featured in Time Magazine's 100 most influential people list (2022)
| website =
}}
Khurram Parvez is a Kashmiri human rights activist.Chatterji, Angana P. "The Militarized Zone", in {{cite book|last1=Ali|first1=Tariq|last2=Bhat|first2=Hilal|last3=Chatterji|first3=Angana P.|last4=Khatun|first4=Habbah|last5=Misra|first5=Pankaj|last6=Roy|first6=Arundhati|title=Kashmir: The Case for Freedom|date=24 October 2011 |publisher=Verso Books|isbn=9781844677351|page=123|language=en}}{{cite book|last1=Quraishi|first1=Humra|title=Kashmir, the Untold Story|date=2004 |publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780143030874|page=156|language=en}} He is the chairperson of Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD){{cite web|last1=Secretariat|first1=AFAD|title=Stop Harassment Of Human Rights Defenders In Kashmir!|url=http://www.afad-online.org/18-resources/305-stop-harassment-of-human-rights-defenders-in-kashmir|website=www.afad-online.org|accessdate=16 September 2016|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920124203/http://www.afad-online.org/18-resources/305-stop-harassment-of-human-rights-defenders-in-kashmir|url-status=dead}} and the program coordinator of Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society.{{cite news|title=Rights activist Khurram Pervez detained|url=http://www.kashmirmonitor.in/Details/109491/rights-activist-khurram-pervez-detained|accessdate=16 September 2016|publisher=Kashmir Monitor}} Khurram is a recipient of the 2006 Reebok Human Rights Award.{{cite news|title=J&K activist gets Reebok Human Rights Award|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/reebok/20060509.htm|date=9 May 2006|first=Suman Guha|last=Mozumder|accessdate=7 February 2020|publisher=Rediff News}}{{cite news|title=Award to Khurram vindicates fight for human rights: Imroz|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/news/award-to-khurram-vindicates-fight-for-human-rights-imroz/4826.html|accessdate=16 September 2016|publisher=Greater Kashmir}} Parvez was included in Time{{'}}s annual list of the 100 most influential people in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Khurram Parvez 'modern-day David': Time 100 most influential list |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/24/jailed-kashmir-rights-activist-khurram-parvez-in-times-100-list |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}
Education and work
Parvez holds a Masters in Mass Communication from Kashmir University. He was a Chevening Fellow at University of Glasgow in 2005.{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Saadhya |date=2021-11-23 |title=Who Is Khurram Parvez, the 'Human Rights Defender' of J&K Arrested Under UAPA? |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/who-is-khurram-parvez-the-human-rights-defender-of-jk-arrested-under-uapa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124215155/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/who-is-khurram-parvez-the-human-rights-defender-of-jk-arrested-under-uapa |archive-date=2022-11-24 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The Quint |language=en}}
He co-founded Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) along with Parvez Imroz in 2000, and serves as its program coordinator. JKCCS works on building alliances among local civil society organizations and publishes reports on human rights violations in the territory.{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Tariq |date=2021-11-23 |title=Who is Khurram Parvez, Kashmiri human rights activist arrested by NIA? |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/11/23/who-is-khurram-parvez-kashmiri-human-rights-activist-arrested-by-nia.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110235648/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/11/23/who-is-khurram-parvez-kashmiri-human-rights-activist-arrested-by-nia.html |archive-date=2023-11-10 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The Week |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-05 |title=Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its 96th session: Opinion No. 8/2023 concerning Khurram Parvez (India) |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/wg-arbitrary-detention/opinions-adopted-working-group-arbitrary-detention/opinions-adopted-working-group-arbitrary-detention-its-96th-session |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617052425/http://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/detention-wg/opinions/session96/A-HRC-WGAD-2023-8-AEV.pdf |archive-date=2023-06-17 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights}}
He serves as the Chairperson of Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances and the Deputy Secretary-General of the International Federation for Human Rights.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-21 |title=India: Two years of arbitrary detention of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez |url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/india/india-two-years-of-arbitrary-detention-of-kashmiri-human-rights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106061249/https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/india/india-two-years-of-arbitrary-detention-of-kashmiri-human-rights |archive-date=2024-01-06 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=International Federation for Human Rights |language=en}} He holds the position of Distinguished Scholar at the Political Conflict, Gender and People’s Rights Initiative at the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Race and Gender.{{Cite web |title=Political Conflict, Gender and People's Rights Initiative {{!}} Center for Race and Gender |url=https://crg.berkeley.edu/research/research-initiatives/political-conflict-gender-and-people%E2%80%99s-rights-initiative |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214193526/https://crg.berkeley.edu/research/research-initiatives/political-conflict-gender-and-people%E2%80%99s-rights-initiative |archive-date=2023-12-14 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=crg.berkeley.edu}}
In 2023, Parvez was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.{{Cite web |title=Khurram Parvez |url=https://www.martinennalsaward.org/hrd/khurram-parvez/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106061251/https://www.martinennalsaward.org/hrd/khurram-parvez/ |archive-date=2024-01-06 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Martin Ennals Award |language=en-US}}
Detentions
= 2016 arrest =
On 14 September 2016, he was first stopped by Indian authorities at New Delhi airport to prevent him from attending the 33rd UN Human Rights Council Session in Geneva to brief UN bodies, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and foreign governments on the alleged atrocities committed by Indian state forces in Jammu and Kashmir during 2016 Kashmir violence.{{cite news|last1=Bhatnagar|first1=Gaurav Vivek|title=Kashmiri Human Rights Activist Headed for UN Meet Detained at Delhi Airport|url=http://thewire.in/66062/kashmiri-human-rights-activist-headed-for-un-meet-detained-at-delhi-airport/|accessdate=16 September 2016|publisher=The Wire (India)}}{{cite news|title=Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez detained day after being stopped at Delhi's IGI|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmiri-activist-khurram-parvez-detained-day-after-being-stopped-at-delhi-s-igi/story-GDHpUnGmBawZwRyDEBiJqM.html|accessdate=16 September 2016|publisher=The Hindustan Times|date=16 September 2016}}
Parvez was later arrested on 15 September by Indian officials from his home in Srinagar.{{cite news|title=India: Activist Blocked from UN Meeting, Detained|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/09/16/india-activist-blocked-un-meeting-detained|accessdate=22 January 2017|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=16 Sep 2016|quote=Khurram Parvez was arrested in his home on 15 September 2016, a day after being prevented from leaving the country with a group of rights activists who were traveling to Geneva to raise concerns about violations during the security force crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir to contain violent street protests.}} Later on 16 September 2016, Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society stated that Khurram Parvez has been detained without formal arrest or notifications, and in violation of his rights to information, and legal counsel.{{cite news|title=J&K Police arrests human rights activist Khurram Parvez|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/khurram-parvez-kashmiri-human-right-activist-detained-delhi-airport-arrest-3033451/|accessdate=16 September 2016|publisher=The Indian Express|date=16 September 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Raj|first1=Suhasini|title=India Prevents Kashmiri Activist From Traveling to U.N. Meeting|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/world/asia/india-kashmir-khurram-parvez-jkccs.html|accessdate=16 September 2016|work=The New York Times|date=15 September 2016}}{{cite news|title=India: Kashmir police arrest activist Khurram Parvez|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/india-kashmir-police-arrest-activist-khurram-parvez-160916060226635.html|accessdate=16 September 2016|publisher=AlJazeera}} On 21 September, a day after a sessions court ordered his release, Khurram Parvez had been detained a second time under Public Safety Act (PSA).{{cite news|last1=Masood|first1=Bashaarat|title=Day after court 'sets free' activist Khurram Parvez, J&K govt books him under PSA|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/khurram-parvez-public-safety-act-arrest-detention-human-rights-activists-jammu-kashmir-3042652/|accessdate=22 January 2017|publisher=The Indian Express|date=22 September 2016|quote=A day after a sessions court ordered his release, the Jammu and Kashmir government invoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against human rights activist Khurram Parvez.}}{{cite news|title=India: Kashmiri human rights activist re-arrested|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/india-kashmiri-human-rights-activist-re-arrested|accessdate=22 January 2017|publisher=Amnesty International|date=21 Sep 2016|quote=Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez has been detained a second time, after a court ordered his release from administrative detention on Tuesday.}} On 25 Nov 2016, Jammu Kashmir High Court quashed his detention, even then he was not released from prison.{{cite news |last1=Vivek Bhatnagar |first1=Gaurav |title=Khurram Parvez Remains in Custody Despite HC Order Overruling Detention |url=https://thewire.in/rights/khurram-parvez-remains-in-police-custody-despite-high-court-order-overruling-detention |access-date=2022-08-30 |work=The Wire |date=2022-11-28}} After 76 days of detention,{{cite news|title=Kashmir: Human rights activist Khurram Parvez released|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/kashmir-human-rights-activist-khurram-parvez-released-161130140321711.html|accessdate=22 January 2017|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=30 Nov 2016|quote=Parvez said on his Facebook page the 76-day detention was a difficult time for him and his family.}} on 30 November he was finally released from prison following the orders{{cite news|title=High Court orders release of prominent Kashmiri human rights activist|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1244535/high-court-orders-release-prominent-kashmiri-human-rights-activist/|accessdate=22 January 2017|agency=Reuters|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=26 November 2016|quote=A court in Indian held Kashmir on Friday ordered police to release a prominent Kashmiri human rights activist arrested two months ago on charges of involvement in activities against the public order, saying authorities had no evidence.}} of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.{{cite news|last1=Bukhari|first1=Fayaz|title=Released from jail, Kashmiri activist vows to fight for prisoner rights|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-rights-idUSKBN13P1QB|accessdate=22 January 2017|work=Reuters|date=30 Nov 2016|quote=A prominent Kashmiri human rights activist who was released from prison on Wednesday said his two-month detention had strengthened his resolve to highlight violations against prisoners in India's restive Himalayan state.}}
= Cases under UAPA =
Parvez was arrested on November 22, 2021 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In this case, Parvez was accused of being part of a "larger conspiracy" that involved recruiting overground workers for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based organization designated as a terrorist group by India. His home and office were raided.{{Cite news |date=2021-11-23 |title=Khurram Parvez: Kashmiri rights activist arrested under anti-terror law |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59383554 |access-date=2021-12-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-10 |title=How a terrorism law in India is being used to silence Modi's critics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/10/how-terrorism-law-india-used-to-silence-modis-critics |access-date=2021-12-10 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}
In March 2023, Parvez was arrested in another case, nearly two and a half years after the FIR was filed, although he had already been detained since November 2021. Journalist Irfan Mehraj, alleged Hizbul Mujahideen commander Ghulam Hassan Ganai, JKCCS president Parvez Imroz, and Natasha Rather, a member of the JKCCS, have also been accused in this case which was filed on 18 October 2020. As part of the evidence, the NIA referenced two human rights reports published by JKCCS, titled "Structures of Violence" (2015) and the "Torture Report" (2019), arguing that these reports promoted secessionism and harmed India’s image under the guise of human rights work.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Betwa |date=2024-08-28 |title=How The Case Against Kashmiri Activist Khurram Parvez Criminalises Human Rights Reports & Fact-Finding |url=https://article-14.com/post/how-the-case-against-kashmiri-activist-khurram-parvez-criminalises-human-rights-reports-fact-finding-66ce562113db0 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=article-14.com}}
== Reactions to arrest ==
BBC reported that his arrest "caused global outrage amid calls for his release."{{Cite news |date=2021-11-23 |title=Khurram Parvez: Kashmiri rights activist arrested under anti-terror law |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59383554 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805130714/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59383554 |archive-date=2024-08-05 |access-date=2024-11-22 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}} His arrest has been seen as a part of the authorities' ongoing human rights violations in Kashmir and criticized by several international human rights organizations.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title=India: Release Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez, arbitrarily detained for 1,000 days |url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/india/india-release-kashmiri-human-rights-defender-khurram-parvez |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924001513/https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/india/india-release-kashmiri-human-rights-defender-khurram-parvez |archive-date=2024-09-24 |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=International Federation for Human Rights |language=en}} Some lawyers have voiced concerns, suggesting that treating Human Rights reports published by JKCCS as evidence of terrorism could deter other groups from investigating and reporting on human rights abuses.
Civicus, an international non-profit, has stated that Parvez "has faced systematic harassment" because of his work.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=India: Chronology of harassment against human rights defender Khurram Parvez |url=https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/news/5809-india-chronology-of-harassment-against-human-rights-defender-khurram-parvez |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601231617/https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/news/5809-india-chronology-of-harassment-against-human-rights-defender-khurram-parvez |archive-date=2023-06-01 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=Civicus}}
Personal life
References
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