Remembering the Victims of Hyderpora in a Fake Encounter

Remembering the Victims of Hyderpora in a Fake Encounter & Detention of Human Rights Defender Khurram Parvez

Report

A seminar “Remembering the Victims of Hyderpora in a Fake Encounter & Detention of Human Rights Defender Khurram Parvez,” was organized by Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR, dated Nov 26, 2021, constituted of the profound panelists, i.e, Sheikh Abdul Mateen Leader APHC, Hassan Al Banna Leader APHC, Saboor Ali Syed IPS & Altaf Hussain Wani Chairman KIIR.

The seminar was moderated by Altaf Hussain Wani Chairman KIIR. After welcoming remarks, Mr Wani introduced the subject of the seminar. While condemning the killing of three innocent Kashmiris, Dr Mudasir Gul, Altaf Butt and Mohammad Amir in Hyderpora, Srinagar, Kashmir in a fake encounter, on November 15, 2021, has once again shaken the conscience of the global civil society. He said that this act of barbarism by the occupying army signifies the death of so-called Indian democracy. He further said that the killing of innocent civilians needs a transpare nt investigation by a neutral outside agency, like the United Nations. He further stated that the detention of world-renowned Human Rights Activist Khurram Parvez by NIA of India on November 21, 2021 is obviously a travesty of justice. He termed Khurram Pervaiz’s arrest as the latest flagrant violation of international law and basic human rights, and strongly condemned the ongoing persecution and reprisals by the Indian occupation authorities against civil society and human rights defenders, who played key role in highlighting the rights situation in the region in the aftermath of 5th August 2019 when the valley was turned into an information blackhole for the outer world. He discussed that how Khuram Pervaiz is being victimized for his work and standing up for the rights of his own people, calling spade a spade and speaking truth to the power”, and how he has been under fire over the role he played in exposing India’s dodgy and destructive role in Kashmir. He claimed that India is the biggest state that is sponsoring terrorism in Indian occupied Kashmir as it has given impunity to its forces for whatever illegal acts they are committing to ensuring the lawlessness with the people of IOK. Furthermore, he declared these human rights violations as the tool to massacre innocent masses of IOK. He concluded his remarks by saying that the Indian occupation authorities have responded to the expression of dissent and the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression with arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and a campaign of misinformation aimed at discrediting the work of Kashmiri rights activists. He thanked UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and other International organizations for showing their concern on the detention of Mr. Khurram Parvez.

Sheikh Abdul Mateen Leader APHC, thanked Chairman KIIR for having him on the forum. He denounced in strong terms the brutal and coldblooded murder of Kashmiri youth at Rambagh and Hyderpora Srinagar by Indian forces, he said that the blood of innocent Kashmiris was being spilt with impunity on the streets by bloodthirsty Indian occupation forces. Mr. Mateen discussed the rising incidents of state terrorism in the IIOJK and elaborated how blanket impunity has been enjoying by the occupation forces under different laws was major contributing factor behind the ongoing killing spree and bloody violence in the region. While discussing the draconian laws he said that PSA has been violating international laws, fair trial rights and judicial review of their detention. He also mentioned the regressive amendments in PSA in 2018, which further intensified the situation. He concluded his remarks by urging urgent release of Khuram Pervaiz and other rights activists and said that it is high time the world human rights watchdogs should take effective cognizance of his unjustified and unwarranted arrest and play their due role in his early release.

Hassan Al-Banna Leader APHC, thanked Altaf Hussain Wani and KIIR staff for their continuous efforts to expose India's real fascist face to the world. He lauded the courage and valor of the Rambagh residents / and families of the victims of Hyderpora incident who ventured out on the streets and exposed the brutal killing of innocent youth by the Indian troops. He reiterated call for a prompt, independent and impartial investigation under the auspices of an international probe agency, he further said that under international law the Indian government was duty bound to ensure accountability for human rights violations and facilitate the process so that perpetrat ors could be brought to justice. He further discussed detention of Khurran Parvez, and said that he has been one of those leading voices who refused to succumb under pressure tactics, risked their lives and tore into shreds India's false and fabricated normalcy narrative on Kashmir by bringing to the fore the on-ground-realities in Kashmir. He marked that by taking no effective action against India, we are providing India a license to kill by just raising our voices in seminars.

Saboor Ali Syed IPS,thanked KIIR and applauded all the panelists for their extraordinary presentations. While referring to the Hyderpora fake encounter Mr Saboor said that the jinxed fate of IIOJK has snatched numerous innocents. There are several such untold stories where parents have lost their beloved children, daughters and sisters have lost their brothers, mothers their sons. Such incidents only leave a trail of suffering behind. He urged the international community to take stock of the worsening human rights situation in IIOJK. While expressing his serious concern about the safety and security of Mr. Pervaiz, Mr Saboor said that the recent raids on the residence and office of the high-profile rights activist (Parvez) and his subsequent arrest was part of the Indian government’s nefarious game plan to enable complete silence on Kashmir. He further said that PSA has been used massively to arrest journalists, political leaders, activists, religious leaders and perhaps more importantly it has been used to arrest anyone without any fair trial. He threw light upon how this leverage of the war on terror and the terrorism framing to essentially arrest individuals without any evidence and these individuals of an occupied region were being arrested and detained. The program was then concluded with Mr. Wani thanking the guests for their participation and expressed hopes that the youth would continue to remember and raise the voice for the Kashmiri people living in IOJK.