Debbie Abrahams expresses concern over continued illegal detention of Khurram, Yasin
London: The UK Member of Parliament (MP) and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, Debbie Abrahams, has expressed concern over the continued illegal detention of prominent Kashmiri human rights defender, Khurram Parzez, and Hurriyat leader, Muhammad Yasin Malik.
In my contribution on #humanrightsabuses across #Kashmir I expressed my deep concerns about the detention of #KhurramParvez and the unsafe conviction & potential #deathpenalty being invoked for #YasinMalik. I will continue to stand up for #humanrights in #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/U7RKgcLruj
— Debbie Abrahams MP (@Debbie_abrahams) January 26, 2024
According to Kashmir Media Service, Debbie Abrahams taking part in a debate in the House of Commons raised the issue of human rights violations by India in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. She referred to the two reports issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018 and 2019 that raised serious concerns over the human rights abuses in the occupied territory.
She said, there are considerable concerns about the detention without trial of Khurram Parvez, a human rights activist – we still have not had any news about his release – and the unsafe conviction of Yasin Malik. She said those are just two examples about which a range of human rights agencies – Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – have raised concerns. She said these world bodies have advocated for the repeal of draconian laws, Public Safety Act and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
She said, “I want to talk about the case of Yasin Malik in more detail. The Supreme Court of India is awaiting a decision on whether his life sentence will be changed to a death penalty. That is imminent.” She said it seems absolutely at odds with the fact that India is a signatory to the UN convention and sought response from the UK Minister on the issue.
MP Afzal Khan, Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, taking part in the debate thanked Debbie Abrahams for making a powerful point about Muhammad Yasin Malik, who has the threat of a death sentence hanging over him. However, he said, there are many other political people in prison in occupied Kashmir. He said, “Political life has been stifled in Kashmir. As we approach 5 February, which is Kashmir Solidarity Day, it is important to make progress on this.”
He said the UK government has many reasons for being more engaged, and not complacent about getting the Kashmir dispute resolved. Remember that three nuclear powers are involved in this dispute, and the risk they pose to world peace is incredible, he remarked.
