Gender: Male

Perpetrator: India

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: November/22/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities

Nature of Charges: Criminal Premeditation & Conspiracy Illicit Financing Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Khurram Parvez

Extra Bio Info:

Khurram Parvez is detained for his human rights work.

On November 22, 2021, authorities arrested Parvez, a Muslim human rights advocate that has been critical of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), after raiding his home and office.  He was charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) reportedly on allegations of “terrorism funding, being a member of a terrorist organization, criminal conspiracy, and waging war against the state.” Human rights organizations allege Parvez’s arrest is motivated by his work documenting human rights violations committed by authorities in Kashmir, a Muslim-majority area.  He works as the program coordinator for the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and the chair of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances.

On December 1, 2021, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for Parvez’s release.

On March 22, 2023, Parvez was arrested in a second case and accused of financing terrorism under the UAPA through his work with JKCCS.

On March 24, 2023, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor called for Parvez's release.

Parvez has previously been imprisoned for his work.  He was arrested in 2016 and spent 76 days in jail.