In a compelling appeal to the UN Human Rights Council, the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) has submitted a detailed written statement highlighting the grave human rights abuses occurring in Balochistan, Pakistan.
The submission, made for the upcoming 56th Session under Agenda Item 3, was facilitated by the Centre for Gender Justice and Women Empowerment, a non-governmental organization holding special consultative status at the UN.
Documented Abuses: Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings
The BHRC’s statement draws on data from various human rights organizations, meticulously verified by the council itself, to shed light on the disturbing trend of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region.
According to the report, in the first quarter of 2024 alone, 65 individuals were forcibly disappeared, while 11 others were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani security forces. These figures underscore a systemic pattern of abuse that has plagued Balochistan for years, sparking international concern and condemnation.
Enforced disappearances involve the secret abduction or imprisonment of individuals by state officials or agents, without providing any information on their fate or whereabouts. Such practices violate multiple fundamental human rights, including the right to life, liberty, and security.
The BHRC’s statement emphasizes that the families of the disappeared endure immense psychological torment, living in a constant state of uncertainty and fear for their loved ones’ safety.
The report also highlights the issue of extrajudicial killings, where individuals are executed without any legal process. These unlawful executions further erode the rule of law, undermining public trust in state institutions and perpetuating a climate of fear.
The BHRC argues that such actions not only contravene international human rights standards but also reflect a blatant disregard for due process and judicial oversight.
International Appeal: Urging UN Intervention
In its appeal to the UN Human Rights Council, the BHRC has made several urgent requests. Foremost among these is the call for Pakistan to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED) and to integrate this treaty into domestic law through appropriate legislation.
By doing so, the BHRC believes Pakistan can take a significant step towards addressing the systemic issue of enforced disappearances and ensuring legal safeguards against such practices.
The BHRC also urges the Pakistani government to take immediate steps to reveal the fate and whereabouts of those who have been forcibly disappeared.
This includes engaging directly with the families of the disappeared, providing them with accurate information, and ensuring appropriate compensation for their suffering. Transparency and accountability are crucial in rebuilding trust and upholding the rule of law.
Furthermore, the BHRC calls on the UN to hold accountable all individuals involved in or facilitating enforced disappearances in Balochistan and other regions of Pakistan.
This includes not only direct perpetrators but also those who enable such practices through complicity or negligence. By pursuing accountability, the BHRC aims to deter future abuses and promote a culture of human rights and justice.
Impact on Baloch Society: Fear and Oppression
The statement submitted by the BHRC paints a harrowing picture of life in Balochistan under the shadow of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The pervasive fear and oppression experienced by the Baloch people are palpable.
Families live in constant agony, uncertain whether their missing loved ones are alive or dead, often left without any legal recourse or support. This climate of fear stifles dissent, discourages political activism, and undermines the very fabric of Baloch society.
The BHRC’s statement underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address these human rights violations. It calls on the global community to recognize the plight of the Baloch people and to exert pressure on the Pakistani government to adhere to international human rights norms.
By doing so, the BHRC hopes to bring an end to the cycle of abuse and to pave the way for justice and reconciliation in Balochistan.
The BHRC’s submission to the UN Human Rights Council is a poignant reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan.
It highlights the need for urgent action to address enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and calls on the international community to stand in solidarity with the Baloch people in their fight for justice and human dignity.
As the world turns its attention to the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the voices of the disappeared and their families must not go unheard.