London, Debbie Abrahams, a Member of Parliament in the UK and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, voiced concerns over the ongoing illegal detention of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez and Hurriyat leader Muhammad Yasin Malik during a debate in the House of Commons.

According to Kashmir Media Service, during the debate, Abrahams highlighted the human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir as reported by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in its 2018 and 2019 reports. She specifically mentioned the detention of Khurram Parvez and the conviction of Yasin Malik, citing these as examples of the broader concerns raised by international human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Abrahams called for the repeal of the Public Safety Act and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which have been criticized for their draconian nature.

Abrahams also brought attention to the case of Yasin Malik, whose life sentence is under review by the Supreme Court of India for potential conversion to a death penalty. She expressed her dismay over this development, noting India’s status as a signatory to the UN convention and seeking a response from the UK Minister on the issue.

MP Afzal Khan, Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, echoed Abrahams’ concerns in the debate. He thanked her for her powerful points, especially regarding the threat of a death sentence for Muhammad Yasin Malik. Khan stressed that many political figures are imprisoned in occupied Kashmir, and political life in the region has been stifled. He emphasized the importance of making progress on the Kashmir issue, especially as Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 approaches.

Khan urged the UK government to be more engaged and not complacent in resolving the Kashmir dispute, highlighting the involvement of three nuclear powers in the region and the significant risk they pose to world peace.

The debate in the House of Commons reflects the ongoing international concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly regarding human rights abuses and the treatment of political leaders in the region.