Inde: tentative d’assassinat du défenseur des droits humains et avocat Parvez Imroz

I am gravely concerned following reports of the attempted assassination of human rights defender, Advocate Parvez Imroz, at his home on 30 June 2008. Advocate Parvez Imroz is the co-convener of the International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Indianadministered Kashmir, and the co-founder and president of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society.

On 30 June 2008, at 10.10 pm, Advocate Parvez Imroz and his family were at home in Kralpura village, approximately 8 kilometres from Srinagar, when unknown individuals arrived to their door. When asked to identify themselves, they requested that Advocate Parvez Imroz open the door. Following incidents of harassment and intimidation against members of the International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice the previous week, Advocate Parvez Imroz was concerned for his and his family's safety.

He contacted his brother who lives in the house next door and his brother responded by shining a torch at the front door of Advocate Parvez Imroz's home and again requesting that the individuals identify themselves. Advocate Parvez Imroz's nephew ran towards his uncle's home until a shot was fired by one of the persons at the door. A few seconds later a grenade was thrown at the door before it exploded into a fireball. Tear gas was also reportedly thrown at the house as well as an additional two shots being fired. At approximately 10.30 pm the perpetrators left the scene after beating one male neighbour.

Neighbours of Advocate Parvez Imroz and community members reported seeing one large armoured vehicle and two Gypsy cars, and men in uniform, both from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Special Operations Group (SOG).

Previously, on 20 and 21 June 2008, Advocate Parvez Imroz, together with Dr Angana Chatterji and other members of the International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice, were harassed and questioned by members of the Special Branch Kashmir (SBK) and Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) after visiting mass graves in Baramulla and Kupwara, in Indian-administered Kashmir.

I believe that Advocate Parvez Imroz has been targeted as a result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, in particular his work against institutionalized violence and human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir. I am concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Advocate Parvez Imroz, his family and all members of the Tribunal team.

I urge the authorities in India to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the attempted assassination of Advocate Parvez Imroz with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards ;

2. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological security and integrity of Advocate Parvez Imroz, his family and all members of the Tribunal team;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in India are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 6 (c): “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters”, and to Article 12 (1 and 2): “(1) Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. (2) The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”

Yours sincerely,