The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) is concerned with the arbitrary arrest and  detention of Khurram Parvez by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). 

Khurram Parvez is a prominent human rights defender, Coordinator of JKCCS, the Chairperson of  the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) and the Association of Parents  of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and by extension a member of ADPAN. 

The arrest memo provided to family members indicate that Khurram potentially face charges of  “criminal conspiracy”, “waging war against the government of India”, “punishment for conspiracy  to wage war against the government of India” (Sections 120B, 121, and 121A of the Indian Penal  Code, respectively), and “raising funds for terror activities”, “punishment for conspiracy”,  “recruiting any person or persons for commission of a terrorist act”, “offence relating to  membership of a terrorist organisation” and “offence of raising funds for terrorist organisations”  (Sections 17, 18, 18B, 38, and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), respectively). 

Khurram has been targeted for his human rights advocacies in the past and the current  development suggests that the charges against him are intended for the same purpose. 

ADPAN calls for his immediate release and for the Government of India to cease all further  harassment and reprisal against Khurram Parvez.