India hits out at UNHCR on J&K comments |
A day after the UN envoy on human rights expressed concern over the arrest of human rights activist Khurram Parvez on charges of terrorism, the Indian government has called the statement “baseless and unfounded” and added the “arrest and detention” was “entirely as per provisions of law”. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the statement makes baseless and unfounded allegations against law enforcement authorities and security forces of India. Bagchi stated that it also betrays a complete lack of understanding of the security challenges faced by India from cross-border terrorism and its impact on the most fundamental human right `the Right to Life` of citizens including in J&K. On December 1, , the spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Rupert Colville had said that there was “deep concern” at the arrest of Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Parvez had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 22 after raids were carried out at his office under various provisions of UAPA. Describing Parvez as a “tireless advocate” for families of `disappeared persons`, the OHCHR spokesperson noted that he had been targeted for his work in 2016 too. He was detained that year under the Public Safety Act for two and half months after being prevented from travelling to Geneva. He was released by the Jammu and Kashmir High court, which declared his custody illegal.
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