44 YEARS LATER: REMEMBERING THE MARTIAL LAW AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE

Today, the Filipino people commemorate the writing of Proclamation No. 1081 on September 21, 1972, which declared the Philippines as under Martial Law. The Martial Law was a period in our history that altered the lives of so many people. The change that it brought about was not the good kind, contrary to what historical revisionists claim. The declaration legitimized the transfer to, and unfettered use of, power by President Marcos, the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus which allows for warrantless arrests, the enforcement of curfew and banning of public assemblies. What resulted from these is the systematic and widespread violations of human rights in the Philippines. Similarly, this allowed the unconstrained plundering of our nation’s resources by the Marcoses. 

Press Release - 16th September 2016

India has become quite shameless in its cruelty perpetrated in Indian administered Kashmir. A latest incident adds to the pile of unlawful acts of Indian government in Kashmir. This time it is a prominent figure of Kashmir, Mr Khurram Pervez, who has been subjected to unlawful arrest and detention. Mr Khurram has been raising voice about human rights violations and other acts of torture happening in Indian administered Kashmir for years. His work focuses mainly on  thousands of enforced disappearances by the Indian forces. Presently he heads Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) as chairperson. He also acts as program coordinator for Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society. Earlier this week he has been barred to travel to Geneva where he was to attend ongoing session of UN Human Rights Council. He reached Indira Gandhi International airport Delhi to take a flight to Geneva. He had valid visa and travel documents yet he was not allowed to travel without giving any legal reason. Subsequent to this incident Mr Khurram Pervez was arrested this morning from his home in Srinagar at 12:30 am, 16th September 2016. News regarding his arrest has been appearing in local and international media. (See references at the end)

URGENT APPEAL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ITS CHAIRPERSON, KHURRAM PARVEZ

Khurram Parvez, Chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) and a staunch human rights defender in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir was arrested yesterday night in his family’s residence in Srinagar. Parvez’s relatives said that the police simply went to his home, with no warrant, nor stating the reasons for his arrest, and asked him to accompany them to the police station. Earlier that night, Parvez had received a call from the Kothibagh Police station and had been asked to “visit” the station as they wanted to talk to him.

Open letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

MR. ZEID RAÁD AL HUSSEIN
United Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsObj: AFAD Chairperson, Khurram Parvez, prevented from attending UN Human Rights

Council Session by IndiaDear Mr. Al Hussein, Greetings from the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)!