28/11/2024
Press Release
Baloch Representatives Urge UN Committee to Investigate Human Rights Abuses in Balochistan
Geneva, Switzerland – [27th Nov. 2024] – Representatives from the Baloch Voice Association (BVA) and Baloch Peoples Congress (BPC) met with Ms. Stamatia Stavrinaki, a member of the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination and Torture, at the Palais Wilson in Geneva during the 114th Session of the UN Committee. The Baloch delegation delivered a compelling briefing on the ongoing human rights violations against the Baloch people, specifically in the context of the Balochistan conflict with the Pakistani state.
During the meeting, the Baloch representatives presented a detailed report and video evidence outlining the systemic abuse and oppression faced by the Baloch people. They highlighted the widespread profiling and discrimination against the Baloch based on their political views; ethnicity and culture, as well as the abuse of their fundamental rights, including enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
The delegation also presented the disturbing attacks on the families of missing persons, particularly those associated with the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP). These camps, where families of the disappeared gather to protest and demand justice, have been targeted by Pakistani state forces and intelligence agencies, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The camps have been attacked, burned, and the family members have been subjected to threats and intimidation.
“The state of Pakistan has continued to violate the rights of the Baloch people, particularly in its disregard for international human rights conventions,” stated by Munir Mengal, the Baloch representative to United Nations. “We have come to the UN to call for an immediate investigation into these atrocities and demand that Pakistan be held accountable for its actions against the Baloch people.”
The Baloch people at large are beibg profiled racially, the Baloch students at different colleges and universities are being subjected to racial profiling due to their colths and physical structure and also of their views. For example the evidences of the Baloch students who did a Baloch dance at a special occassion of university were disappeared by force; The students who wore special Balochi traditional cloths in Punjab and Isamabad universities at special occasion became victims of enforced disappearances.
The Baloch delegation also presented a power point presentation detailing the long history of abuse and profiling of the Baloch, urging the UN Committee to act swiftly to investigate these violations. They called on the Committee to visit Balochistan, meet with victims' families, and assess the situation on the ground in order to make an informed investigation and ensure Pakistan’s accountability.
The representatives further stressed that Pakistan, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention Against Torture, is in breach of its obligations under these agreements. They called on the UN Committee to thoroughly investigate the reports and testimonies presented by Pakistani state representatives, as the current response from the Pakistani government remains inadequate.
The Baloch representatives also urged the Committee to consider the impact of Pakistan’s human rights abuses on its trade privileges with the European Union. Pakistan’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) status, which provides duty-free access to EU markets, should be made conditional upon an independent investigation by the UN Committee into the situation in Balochistan and a visit to meet with the families of the victims.
“We cannot allow Pakistan’s non-response to these serious allegations to be used as a justification for renewing their GSP+ status in the European Parliament,” said [Name], a representative from the Baloch Peoples Congress. “The international community must take a stand and ensure that Pakistan’s treatment of the Baloch people is scrutinized.”
The Baloch representatives have called for immediate international intervention to address the growing crisis in Balochistan and to hold Pakistan accountable for its violations of the fundamental rights of the Baloch people.
Baloch Representatives looking ford for any for more detailed information.
Please contact:
Munir Mengal
Baloch Voice Association / Baloch Peoples Congress