On 20 December 2020, special procedures mandate holders addressed concerns about raids on the JKCCS offices and attacks against Mr. Parvez (IND 20/2020), amongst other organizations and individuals, including alleged intimidation, searches and confiscations by national security agents in Jammu and Kashmir. On 28 October 2020, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Jammu & Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Forces reportedly targeted the office of JKCCS, confiscating laptops, mobile devices, and documents ranging from passports to salary strips, as well as hard drives containing surveys, testimonies, report drafts and highly sensitive data collected over decades about human rights violations, victims and their families (IND 20/2020). The NIA reportedly issued a First Information Report for the case (No RC-37/2020/NIA/DLI), referencing the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA, articles 17, 18, 22A, 22C, 38, 39 and 40), highlighting the receipt of funds of the organizations from abroad and accusing them of ties to terrorism (IND 20/2020). 64. Mandate holders expressed concern that the alleged counter-terrorism measures may be aimed at discrediting the work of the targeted organizations and their staff, “in an effort to stop their reporting on regional and national political and human rights affairs” and deter further reporting by defenders in Jammu and Kashmir (IND 20/2020; see also OL IND 7/2020). They noted that the “reported seizure of their personal and professional equipment, their call data records and contacts information, could adversely affect their work and endanger and compromise their sources.” On 18 January 2021 the Government responded, the details of which were not made public due to their confidential nature.

82. The situation of the Central Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a union of various non-profit organizations based in Srinagar, was included in the 2020 and 2021 reports 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 Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.104 The situation of JKCCS and its chair, Mr. Khurram Parvez, and other members of the coalition were included in the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 reports of the Secretary-General105 and have been addressed by special procedures mandate holders on several occasions106 to which the Government has responded.107 Mr. Parvez has reportedly been subjected to travel bans, ill- treatment, arbitrary arrest, and detention on counter-terrorism charges in relation to his cooperation with the United Nations over the years. In May 2021, Mr. Parvez was still under a travel ban. In August 2021, the Government responded stating that Mr. Parvez’s detention was justified by the 1978 Jammu and Kashmir Safety Act, and that he had been provided legal and medical assistance and access to his family, subject to security requirements.
83. On 1 December 2021, special procedures mandate holders addressed allegations of raids, confiscation of materials and equipment and the arbitrary arrest on 22 November 2021 of Mr. Parvez on charges related to conspiracy and terrorism under the Criminal Code and the Unlawful Activities prevention (UAP) Act (IND 19/2021). If convicted, Mr. Parvez could reportedly face up to 14 years in prison and the death penalty. Mandate holders expressed concern that, in his search for accountability, Mr. Parvez has been the victim of a number of incidents of reprisals, reportedly for sharing this information with the United Nations.108 On 5 January 2022, the Government responded, the details of which were not made public due to their confidential nature.109 According to information received by OHCHR, as a result of increased surveillance, online and offline, and police questioning and intimidation of JKCCS staff and associated personnel, their human rights work has been impacted. Since 2020, JKCSS has not issued any public reports on the human rights situation in the Indian- administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Names and details of those concerned are withheld for fear of further reprisals.