MEA hits out at UN body for remark on Kashmiri human rights activist's arrest

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday took umbrage to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) commenting on the arrest of Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

“The arrest and subsequent detention of the individual referred to in the statement was done entirely as per provisions of law. The authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights,” said the MEA in response to questions on the UN body’s statement. Pakistan had also spoken against the arrest, but the MEA had opted not to react.

The MEA said the OHCHR statement “betrays a complete lack of understanding” of the security challenges from cross-border terrorism and its impact on the “Right to Life” of citizens in J&K. Referring to proscribed terrorist organisations as “armed groups” demonstrates a clear bias on the part of OHCHR, it added.

Parvez has been in custody for over a week.

“We are unaware of the factual basis of the charges. He is known as a tireless advocate for families of the disappeared and has been targeted before for his human rights work,” admitted OHCHR.

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