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March 25th, 2024
Justice For All Canada vehemently condemns the recent arrest of Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj by Indian authorities. During a professional assignment on March 20, 2023, Mehraj was summoned for questioning and arbitrarily detained by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Srinagar under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. [1]
Mr. Mehraj's arrest, based on allegations of association with the globally recognized human rights organization named the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), is a blatant affront to freedom of speech and expression. The JKCCS has played a pivotal role in documenting extensive human rights violations in Kashmir and providing vital information to the United Nations. [2]
Mehraj is facing several politically motivated charges, including allegations of 'sedition' and 'funding terror activities,' along with Khurram Parvez, an internationally recognized human rights defender and the Program Coordinator for JKCCS. Parvez has been held in arbitrary detention for over two and a half years. The NIA singled out Mehraj on the basis of his association with Khurram Parvez, describing him as 'a close associate.' Currently, both Mehraj and Parvez are detained in pre-trial custody at the maximum-security Rohini prison in New Delhi, India. [1]
The targeting of Mehraj is not an isolated incident but rather emblematic of the broader pattern of harassment and intimidation faced by Kashmiri journalists since 2019. As outlined by the United Nations, such practices by the Indian government are designed to delegitimize human rights work and obstruct the monitoring of human rights abuses in the region. This suppression of free speech contravenes international human rights law, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
As the founding editor of Wande Magazine and a contributor to TwoCircles.net, Mehraj's journalistic endeavours have extended to reputable international media outlets such as Al Jazeera, TRT World and Deutsche Welle. [2]
The arrest has sparked condemnation from prominent voices, including Amnesty India, Human Rights Watch, and UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor. All have called for Mehraj's immediate release, emphasizing the need to protect human rights defenders. Additionally, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have voiced concerns over Mehraj's targeting for exposing human rights violations. The Journalist Federation of Kashmir has also denounced the arrest, reporting Mehraj's transfer. Furthermore, the Free Speech Collective has criticized the arrest as evidence of authorities' efforts to suppress independent journalism. This widespread condemnation underscores the urgency of the situation and the global solidarity in demanding justice for Mehraj and the protection of press freedom in Kashmir. [2]
New Delhi's deployment of over half a million soldiers to quash Kashmiris’ aspirations for self-determination underscores the oppressive tactics employed by the Indian government. The systematic detention of Kashmiri political figures under laws like the Public Safety Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, under spurious charges related to "terrorism," "receiving foreign funding," and "abetting secession," are a grave violation of human rights. The draconian nature of these laws (such as the inclusion of a 180-day pre-trial detention period, which can be increased) has been criticized for violating international human rights standards. [3]
Rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations have extensively documented severe human rights abuses perpetrated by the Indian army, often with governmental support. In addition, the Washington-based Genocide Watch has sounded alarms regarding India’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, and has called upon the United Nations to prevent a genocide in the region.
India's Hindu-nationalist regime's unilateral revocation of Kashmir's special autonomous status in 2019, purportedly to combat "terrorism," has led to a relentless assault on press freedom. Journalists like Kashmiri counterparts Fahad Shah and Asif Sultan have been unjustly imprisoned under laws designed to deny them bail.
"We urge the Canadian government to unequivocally denounce the arbitrary arrest of Irfan Mehraj and demand his immediate release," stated Taha Ghayyur, Vice-President of Justice For All Canada. "Journalists like Mehraj are indispensable in upholding democratic values and exposing human rights abuses. Canada must staunchly defend press freedom and human rights, both domestically and internationally," he added.
Justice For All Canada demands the immediate and unconditional release of Irfan Mehraj and calls upon the Indian government to fulfill its international obligations to safeguard journalists' rights and ensure freedom of speech and expression, particularly in Kashmir.
We stand in solidarity with Irfan Mehraj, Kashmiri journalists, human rights defenders, and all those advocating for justice and human rights in Kashmir.
Given the severity of the situation, Justice For All Canada implores the Canadian government to initiate a parliamentary investigation into:
Sources
[1] Joint Statement: Immediately Release Irfan Mehraj | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
[2] India arrests Kashmir journalist Irfan Mehraj on ‘terror’ charges | Freedom of the Press News | Al Jazeera
[3] India: Call for the immediate release of Irfan Mehraj | OMCT
Justice For All Canada vehemently condemns the recent arrest of Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj by Indian authorities. During a professional assignment on March 20, 2023, Mehraj was summoned for questioning and arbitrarily detained by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Srinagar under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. [1]
Mr. Mehraj's arrest, based on allegations of association with the globally recognized human rights organization named the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), is a blatant affront to freedom of speech and expression. The JKCCS has played a pivotal role in documenting extensive human rights violations in Kashmir and providing vital information to the United Nations. [2]
Mehraj is facing several politically motivated charges, including allegations of 'sedition' and 'funding terror activities,' along with Khurram Parvez, an internationally recognized human rights defender and the Program Coordinator for JKCCS. Parvez has been held in arbitrary detention for over two and a half years. The NIA singled out Mehraj on the basis of his association with Khurram Parvez, describing him as 'a close associate.' Currently, both Mehraj and Parvez are detained in pre-trial custody at the maximum-security Rohini prison in New Delhi, India. [1]
The targeting of Mehraj is not an isolated incident but rather emblematic of the broader pattern of harassment and intimidation faced by Kashmiri journalists since 2019. As outlined by the United Nations, such practices by the Indian government are designed to delegitimize human rights work and obstruct the monitoring of human rights abuses in the region. This suppression of free speech contravenes international human rights law, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
As the founding editor of Wande Magazine and a contributor to TwoCircles.net, Mehraj's journalistic endeavours have extended to reputable international media outlets such as Al Jazeera, TRT World and Deutsche Welle. [2]
The arrest has sparked condemnation from prominent voices, including Amnesty India, Human Rights Watch, and UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor. All have called for Mehraj's immediate release, emphasizing the need to protect human rights defenders. Additionally, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have voiced concerns over Mehraj's targeting for exposing human rights violations. The Journalist Federation of Kashmir has also denounced the arrest, reporting Mehraj's transfer. Furthermore, the Free Speech Collective has criticized the arrest as evidence of authorities' efforts to suppress independent journalism. This widespread condemnation underscores the urgency of the situation and the global solidarity in demanding justice for Mehraj and the protection of press freedom in Kashmir. [2]
New Delhi's deployment of over half a million soldiers to quash Kashmiris’ aspirations for self-determination underscores the oppressive tactics employed by the Indian government. The systematic detention of Kashmiri political figures under laws like the Public Safety Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, under spurious charges related to "terrorism," "receiving foreign funding," and "abetting secession," are a grave violation of human rights. The draconian nature of these laws (such as the inclusion of a 180-day pre-trial detention period, which can be increased) has been criticized for violating international human rights standards. [3]
Rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations have extensively documented severe human rights abuses perpetrated by the Indian army, often with governmental support. In addition, the Washington-based Genocide Watch has sounded alarms regarding India’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, and has called upon the United Nations to prevent a genocide in the region.
India's Hindu-nationalist regime's unilateral revocation of Kashmir's special autonomous status in 2019, purportedly to combat "terrorism," has led to a relentless assault on press freedom. Journalists like Kashmiri counterparts Fahad Shah and Asif Sultan have been unjustly imprisoned under laws designed to deny them bail.
"We urge the Canadian government to unequivocally denounce the arbitrary arrest of Irfan Mehraj and demand his immediate release," stated Taha Ghayyur, Vice-President of Justice For All Canada. "Journalists like Mehraj are indispensable in upholding democratic values and exposing human rights abuses. Canada must staunchly defend press freedom and human rights, both domestically and internationally," he added.
Justice For All Canada demands the immediate and unconditional release of Irfan Mehraj and calls upon the Indian government to fulfill its international obligations to safeguard journalists' rights and ensure freedom of speech and expression, particularly in Kashmir.
We stand in solidarity with Irfan Mehraj, Kashmiri journalists, human rights defenders, and all those advocating for justice and human rights in Kashmir.
Given the severity of the situation, Justice For All Canada implores the Canadian government to initiate a parliamentary investigation into:
- the arbitrary detentions of Kashmiri civil and political leaders,
- the egregious human rights violations perpetrated by the Indian army,
- India’s use of draconian legislation such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and its non-conformity with international law.
Sources
[1] Joint Statement: Immediately Release Irfan Mehraj | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
[2] India arrests Kashmir journalist Irfan Mehraj on ‘terror’ charges | Freedom of the Press News | Al Jazeera
[3] India: Call for the immediate release of Irfan Mehraj | OMCT