A/HRC/45/36
13.
India
72.
Allegations of reprisals against the Centre for Social Development (CSD) in
Manipur and its staff, including its secretary Mr. Nobokishore Urikhimbam, were
included in the 2018 and 2019 reports of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/42/30, Annex II,
para. 57; A/HRC/39/41, para. 50 and Annex I paras. 63–65) on allegations of surveillance
and freezing of their bank account for cooperation with the UN. On 11 September 2019,
special procedures mandate holders (IND 18/2019) raised concern about the suspension of
registration of CSD, and the surveillance, threats and attacks against its staff and their
family members. It was reported to OHCHR that in October 2019 the CSD’s license under
the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act of 2010 (FCRA), which had been suspended,
had been reinstated.
73.
Mandate holders drew particular attention to the 4 July 2019 attempted shooting of
Mr. Urikhimbam’s daughter, which appeared to be linked to his work in defence of human
rights and his engagement with the UN (IND 18/2019). On 5 July 2019, the family of the
victim filed a complaint at the Singjamei Police Station and, two weeks later, a First
Information Report was registered by the police. Due to a fear of further reprisals, the
mandate holders noted that Mr. Urikhimbam cancelled a trip to Geneva to represent CSD
and United NGOs Mission Manipur in discussions on the margins of the July 2019 session
of the Human Rights Committee, and also in September 2019 to attend the Human Rights
Council. As of May 2020, it was reported to OHCHR that the alleged perpetrators of the
attempted shooting of Mr. Urikhimbam’s daughter had not been identified.
74.
A July 2019 OHCHR report on Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistanadministered Kashmir noted reprisals against Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil
Society (JKCCS), which regularly cooperates with the UN. This report stated that, hours
after the release of OHCHR’s previous June 2018 report, content defaming JKCCS and its
coordinator, Mr. Khurram Parvez, was spread on social media by a group that claimed to
have ISIS affiliation, including death threats against Mr. Parvez and his family (para.
136).49 The situation of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society JKCCS, and its
coordinator, Mr. Khurram Parvez and other members of the coalition were included in
the 2017, 2018 and 2019 reports of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/36/31, para. 36;
A/HRC/39/41, Annex II, paras. 23–24; A/HRC/42/30, para. 58 and Annex II, para. 59). It
was also reported to OHCHR that additional sources for OHCHR’s reports, including
victims of torture, were reportedly questioned about their testimonies but names are
withheld due to a fear of further reprisals.
75.
It was reported to OHCHR that Mr. Parvez, who in the past has been subject to
travel bans, arbitrary arrest and detention in relation to his cooperation with the UN, was
informed in August 2019 that he was prohibited from traveling internationally because he
was placed on an “Exit Fly List.” It was further reported that Mr. Parvez was called in for
“routine verification” by police in February 2020 and, as of May 2020, three “First
Information Reports” filed by police in 2016 before a court in Srinagar were still
unresolved.
76.
On 31 July 2020, the Government responded in detail to the note verbale sent in
connection to the present report. Regarding the situation of CSD in Manipur, the
Government stated that the FCRA has been enacted to regulate the acceptance and
utilization of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by individuals or associations or
companies to ensure that funds are not used for purposes detrimental to India’s national
interests. The FCRA registration of CSD was suspended as it has been assessed and found
to be in violation of this Act. Regarding the preventive detention of Mr. Parvez, the
Government stated that it has been drawn from the cases registered against him Under
Section (U/S) 151, 107 Code of Criminal Procedures (CRPC) for his activities against the
public order in the past few years. The Government noted that a person who is under
investigation for a criminal case registered against him under law is required to cooperate
49
OHCHR, Update of the Situation of Human Rights in Indian-Administered Kashmir and PakistanAdministered Kashmir from May 2018 to April 2019 (July 2019),
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/IN/KashmirUpdateReport_8July2019.pdf.
65