Parveena Ahanger
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Parveena Ahanger | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Other names | Iron Lady of Kashmir |
| Occupation(s) | Chairperson, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) in Indian-controlled Kashmir |
| Known for | Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 and Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders |
| Website | http://www.apdpkashmir.com |
Parveena Ahanger (born in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir) is the Founder and Chairperson of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) in Indian Administered Kashmir,[1] who was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for her strength, pacifism and human rights activism.[citation needed] She had started this organization in 1995 to provide support and mobilize family members of missing persons due to enforced disappearances to put pressure on the India's government to investigate the estimated 8-10,000 cases of involuntary and enforced disappearances in Kashmir. Parveena is also referred to as the "Iron lady of Kashmir". She was nominated by the prestigious Indian media Channel CNN IBN for a coveted award which she rejected on account of the deceit approach adopted by Indian media over the pain and tragedies of Kashmiris.
APDP's global representation
Parveena Ahanger, cofounder and chairman of the Associatipn of Parents of Disappeared Persons, has represented APDP’s cause in the Philippines (2000), Thailand (2003), Indonesia (2005), Chiang Mai (2006), Geneva (2008), Cambodia (2009) and London (2014). Her efforts attained global recognition on 10 July 2005 when she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Lecture at University of Westminster
Ahanger spoke at London's University of Westminster in 2014. A quote from her heart wrenching speech in the university's auditorium:
"Nobody understands a mother’s pain. I'm a victim, there are many like us. APDP originated out of my pain, and pain of hundreds of mothers like me."