What We Do
As an internationally recognized human rights organization, we specialize in the following:
- APDP actively campaigns for an end to the practice and crime of involuntary and enforced disappearances at local, national and international platforms.
- APDP has been engaged in documenting enforced disappearances in Kashmir since 1989 and has collected information on over one thousand such cases so far.
- On the 10th of each month, families of the disappeared come together under the aegis of APDP to hold a public protest in Srinagar to commemorate the disappearance of their loved ones and to seek answers from the state about the whereabouts of the missing persons.
- APDP provides basic support to families of the enforced disappeared, especially those who were left destitute when their primary providers and breadwinners (often men) were enforced disappeared.
- APDP provides medical support to the families of the enforced disappeared who cannot get such support by themselves. Among such families are elderly parents who have been waiting for their loved ones for over two decades.
- APDP maintains regular contact with the families of the enforced disappeared through its main office in Srinagar and checks on their status.
- APDP provides free expert consultation to a variety of scholars, researchers, artists, journalists, writers, film-makers, etc. who are interested in the topic of enforced disappearance in Kashmir to raise awareness about this serious violation of human rights.
- Under the leadership of our founder, Parveena Ahangar, APDP attends multiple international events at different conferences and institutions.
- APDP offers internship and volunteer work opportunities to those interested in helping the organization.
A Provisional Biography of a Journey Towards Justice for the Enforced Disappeared
There are reportedly over 8,000 cases of enforced disappearances in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. These disappearances began in the 1990s even before the enactment and implementation of The Jammu & Kashmir Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in September 1990, which provides impunity for India’s armed forces.
The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, Kashmir (APDP) was co-founded in 1994 by Parveena Ahangar with the support of legal professionals and activists as well as the victim families of enforced disappearances. Parvez Imroz, who now heads the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), was part of this co-founding process. APDP is the oldest human rights movement and organisation in Kashmir. This biography focuses on the APDP led by Parveena Ahangar.
Parveena Ahangar’s son, Javaid Ahmed Ahangar was enforced disappeared between the night of the 17th of August and the early morning hours of August 18, 1990. Given this catastrophic event, Parveena Ahangar embarked on journey to search for her son, a journey which led to the formation of APDP and the formation of a movement against enforced disappearances in Kashmir. This biography places this story in the broader political context of Kashmir, discusses the importance of memory for the movement, and the gendered and international context of this movement. The biography ends with some narrative testimonies from APDP members.
Press Releases
April 10, 2018 – APDP Press Release
On the occasion of the monthly sit-in on 10th April, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) commemorates the struggle of Dilshada Sheikh, an active member of APDP, who passed away on 31 March, 2018.
Dilshada Sheikh who lived in Zakura, Srinagar, was the ‘half-widow’ of Bashir Ahmad Sheikh. Bashir Ahmad Sheikh was a daily wage laborer, who was subjected to enforced disappearance after being abducted by Border Security Force (BSF) of the Indian Army in Lal Chowk, Srinagar on the 16th of June, 1992.
March 31, 2018 – APDP Press Release
With immense grief we regret to inform you that Dilshada Sheikh, a member of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), passed away Saturday morning.
Dilshada Sheikh who lived in Zakura, Srinagar, was the half-widow of Bashir Ahmad Sheikh and mother of their two sons. Bashir Ahmad Sheikh was a casual laborer who was subjected to an enforced disappearance after being picked up by Border Security Force (BSF) of the Indian Army in Lal Chowk on the 16th of June, 1992.
March 10, 2018 – APDP Press Release
On the occasion of the International Women’s day, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) commemorates the struggles of Kashmiri women against the repression of the Indian state. Since the outbreak of counter-insurgency, the Indian state subjected thousands of Kashmiri men to enforced disappearances which left behind hundreds of widows and their children and ageing mothers.