Debbie Abrahams MP, Fahim Kayani condemn illegal arrest of Kashmiri Human Rights Activist Khurram Pervaiz

LONDON, Nov 25 (SABAH): Debbie Abrahams MP, Chairman All Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir and President TeK Raja Fahim Kayani have condemned illegal arrest of Kashmiri Human Rights Activist Khurram Pervaiz.

Debbie Abrahams MP taking it to Twitter to condemn the arrest of Kashmiri prominent human rights activist Khurram Pervaiz said that ” Very worrying to hear about the arrest in Srinagar, Kashmir of prominent activist Khurram Parvez by the Indian authorities following his criticism of the killing of civilian Kashmiris.”

While President Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK Fahim Kayani said that, “We have launched the campaign Free Khurram Pervaiz at the UK and European countries level, through this campaign would draw the attention of British and European parliamentarian towards this issue and will urge Parliamentarians and human rights organisations  to call on UK and EU governments to take action on illegal detention of human rights defender Khurram Pervaiz and put pressure on  India to release Khurram Pervaiz , all political prisoners  and end all kind of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir . We will write to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Commissioner of UNHRC and all human rights organisations about the arrest of Khurram Pervaiz.

Raja Fahim Kayani also said that we salute to the courage and valour of Khurram Pervaiz, who continuously highlighted the grave Human Rights violations against the besieged Kashmiris in his reports, which are eye-opener for the World.

Parvez is one of Kashmir’s most courageous human rights activists, coordinator of Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, and chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances.

Khurram Parvez was given ‘Reebok Human Rights Awards’ in 2006 in recognition of his significant contribution to further human rights cause through peaceful means. The award carries a grant of $50,000, which Khurram donated to the ‘Coalition of Civil Society in Kashmir (CCSK).’ In his acceptance speech, Khurram said, “This award stands as a symbol of remembrance of all those faces unseen, voices unheard and souls familiar as well as strangers whose killings and sufferings every day have deepened our commitment and cemented our belief in the rights movement.”

On Monday evening, Khurram Parvez was unlawfully arrested following a raid of his residence and office by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This act has been used by Indian forces to harass, assault and imprison Kashmir’s human rights activists, political leaders, and journalists. Such actions by the NIA are politically motivated and are part of the Indian government’s attempt to further silence Kashmiri voices. As these heinous acts against the indigenous people of Kashmir and Jammu continue, the resiliency of the local people and the hope they have for self-determination grows stronger.