A/HRC/54/61 13. India 74. The situation of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a union of various non-profit organizations based in Srinagar, has been included since 2020 in the reports97 of the Secretary-General on allegations of reprisals, including for cooperation with OHCHR in the preparation of the 2019 report on the situation of human rights in Indianadministered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The JKCCS, its chair, Mr. Khurram Parvez, and other members of the coalition, were reportedly subject to travel bans, ill treatment, and arbitrary detention on counter-terrorism charges in relation with their cooperation with the United Nations. Mr. Parvez was last arrested on 22 November 2021 on terrorism and other charges, and his case has been addressed on several occasions by special procedures mandate holders98, to which the Government has responded.99 75. In November 2022 and March 2023, mandate holders called 100 for Mr. Parvez’s release noting that his arrest and detention has a chilling effect on others and urged authorities to end the crackdown on civil society in the region. On 20 March 2023, a former associate of the JKCCS, human rights defender and journalist and an OHCHR Minorities Fellow, Mr. Irfan Mehraj, was arrested under the same case and transferred to New Delhi. Mandate holders noted that former associates and volunteers of the JKCCS face coercion and intimidation from the authorities. Mr. Parvez and Mr. Mehraj are currently detained at the Rohini Jail Complex. If convicted, Mr. Parvez could face up to 14 years of imprisonment or even the death penalty. 76. The situation of Mr. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director of the Centre for Promotion of Social Concerns (CPSC, also known as People’s Watch), was included in the 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 reports of the Secretary-General. 101 Special procedures mandate holders102 have raised the case on multiple occasions, expressing concern over the use of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act of 2010 (FCRA) to restrict the work of non-governmental organizations seeking to cooperate with the United Nations and noted that the postponement and further non-renewal of CPS’s license was a case of reprisal against Mr. Tiphagne in this context. The Government responded in August 2021 stating that the FCRA was enacted to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions and ensure that these funds are not detrimental to the national interest. 77. According to information received by OHCHR, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) visited the CPSC 12 times between January and November 2022 and reportedly seized over 80,000 documents and 17,000 vouchers. Between June 2022 and March 2023, the Income Tax Department reportedly asked CPS to submit evidence from the books of account and other documents, such as details of foreign donations received. CSPC submitted all documents required and as of 30 April 2023 is waiting for a response. The number and nature of the requests, questions and queries from government agencies is reportedly disrupting the regular functioning of the CSPC office. The case for the renewal of CPS’s license is still pending in the Delhi High Court. 78. The situation of the Centre for Social Development (CSD) in Manipur and its staff, including its secretary Mr. Nobokishore Urikhimbam, has been included in the reports of 97 98 99 100 101 102 GE.23-15378 A/HRC/42/30, Annex II, para. 59; A/HRC/48/28, Annex II paras. 62–64; A/HRC/51/47, Annex II paras. 82–83. IND 7/2016; IND 9/2016; IND 2/2020; IND 19/2021. See government replies at: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=35607; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=35606; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=2113; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36734. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/11/one-year-detention-un-experts-demand-immediaterelease-kashmiri-activist; https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/03/india-un-expert-demandsimmediate-end-crackdown-kashmiri-human-rights. A/HRC/39/41, para. 50, and Annex I, paras. 61–62; A/HRC/42/30, para. 58 and Annex II, para. 58; A/HRC/48/28, Annex II para. 65; A/HRC/51/47, Annex II paras. 84–85. IND 14/2018; OTH 27/2017. 59

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