Sheikh Showkat Hussain
Sheikh Showkat Hussain is an academic, political, and human rights activist and the former Professor of International Law at the Central University of Kashmir. He has authored several books on the politics in Kashmir and has advocated for peace and human rights in the Kashmir valley. He has extensively campaigned for the social, cultural and political rights of Muslim minorities in India. In April 2022, Sheikh Showkat Hussain was removed from his position of Principal at the Kashmir College under pressure from state authorities who accused him of aiding secessionist movements in Kashmir.
Human rights defenders in India face a diverse range of attacks and harassment from state and non-state actors alike, including killing, physical assault, arbitrary detention, threats and judicial harassment. Police officials are often the perpetrators of violence against HRDs, which is usually carried out with impunity. Armed groups and private companies also target HRDs for work related to economic development projects and their impact on the local communities or the environment. HRDs are increasingly the targets of online smear campaigns by radical nationalists.
