20 March 2009

Mr. Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi

President of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Geneva

Switzerland

Subject: The International Community Must Act Now to Save the Baloch from Extinction

Dear Mr. President

The representatives of the international human rights organisations and Baloch and Sindhi human rights activists have gathered here today to request the urgent help of the UN and the international community to stop the atrocities committed by Pakistan army against Baloch people.

Mr President, a ruthless military operation has been going on in the Pakistani controlled Balochistan for the last five years in which thousands of innocent men, women and children have been mercilessly killed, hundreds of thousands have been displaced and thousands are missing. As the international community is busy in dealing with “far important matters” a whole nation is systematically being wiped out by the Pakistani state through cultural, economic, political and military aggression.

The Baloch and Balochistan

Balochistan is divided and occupied by Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, a legacy of colonialism in that part of the world. In the wake of the British withdrawal from India, the ruler of the Baloch state of Kalat declared Balochistan independent on 12^th August 1947, two days before the independence of Pakistan and India. The independence of Balochistan was a short-lived affair as it was invaded by the Pakistani troops with the blessing of the British colonial administration of the time on 27^th March 1948 and Balochistan was annexed by Pakistan. The Baloch resistance for national sovereignty and several military operations to quell the Baloch national uprisings by Pakistan have widened the gulf between the Pakistani State and the Baloch people.

The Baloch Pakistan Conflict

Mr. President, the history of relationship between the Baloch and the Pakistani state is the history of violent conflicts. The Baloch national resistance is the response of the Baloch masses to cultural and economical domination and political subjugation by Pakistan. Crude military power has been the only way adopted by almost every Pakistani Government in dealing with the Baloch discontent. The ongoing military campaign is the bloodiest one causing internal dislocation of thousands of the Balochs. The brutal murder of one of the towering figures of the Baloch national movement, Nawab Akber Bugti and the murder of the revered resistance fighter Nawabzada Mir Balaach Marri by Pakistani army are the most important happenings of the present conflict. Recently, the most prominent of the nationalist scholars and intellectuals, Mir Jan Mohammad Dashti was ambushed and critically wounded by the death squad of a front organization of the Pakistani State security agency (ISI). In addition, kidnapping of hundreds of the Baloch by security agencies is another unprecedented hallmark of the 5 years long, low intensity war of resistance and political mobilization inBalochistan.

The primary aspect of the conflict between the Baloch and Pakistan has been the dispute over the legitimacy of accession of the Baloch State of Kalat with Pakistan. The annexation of their land by Pakistan was against the will of the Baloch people expressed by both Houses of their parliament. It was the illegal occupation of their land without their consent.

The second aspect of Baloch-Pakistan conflict is the irrational rather politically perverse doctrine of ‘Islamic brother-hood’. The concepts of Islamic brother-hood, and Pakistani Islamic Nation doctrine adopted by the state were used as tools for subjugating the Baloch and other nationalities and for undermining their cultural, linguistic and social traditions.

Coercive military presence has been the permanent feature of the Baloch and the state conflict. The Pakistani army, perceiving the Baloch nationalism as a grave threat to the state, launched major military offensives in Balochistan during 1948, 1958, 1962, and 1973. Extra judicial killings of the Baloch by the army, paramilitary and state intelligence agencies, harassment, kidnapping and inhuman torture of the Baloch political activists and intellectuals during the sustained military campaigns have been permanent features of the state and Baloch conflict. The recent military aggression in Balochistan is the continuation of that policy; nevertheless, it surpasses all previous military operations in its intensity and ruthlessness.

Cultural exploitation of the Baloch is another characteristic of the Baloch and the state conflict. Alien cultural traditions and language are being imposed at the expense of traditional Baloch social values, the Baloch socio-cultural and political systems are being destroyed or corrupted in a systematic and organized way. Organized attempts are being made by state establishment to bring religion into a prominent position in a secular Baloch society. In this regard, large numbers of religious schools are being patronized by the state in every corner of Balochistan to convert the 'ignorant Baloch' and save them from ‘eternal damnation’. This 'colonisation of the mind' has important implications. Replacing a traditional belief and social system of a people by an alternative frame of reference often amounts to changing the entire identity of a people. The forceful destruction of a culture inflicts real harm not only on the group or the nationality but also devastates and hurt the individual human beings. One culture cannot simply be removed and another transplanted without committing a violation of the dignity and integrity of that group, nationality or individual.

Witness to the Violation of Basic Human Rights

Respected Mr. President, violation of basic human rights of the Baloch is the most painful aspect of the Baloch-Pakistan conflict. Extra judicial killings, harassment, kidnapping and inhuman torture of the Baloch leaders; political activists and intellectuals are the normal state responses to the Baloch political mobilization and expression of Baloch national aspirations.

The graphic details of human rights violation in Balochistan have been published by different non-governmental organizations and international humanitarian’s institutions. Some of the reports are mentioned below:

1. USSD Country Report on Human Rights Practices, Pakistan 2007 11/03/08

2. Amnesty International Annual report, May 2008

3. International Crisis Group: Pakistan: The Worsening Conflict In Balochistan 14/09/06

4. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan fact finding mission, “Conflict in Balochistan” 2005-2006

5. Balochistan Dossier by Balochistan National Party June 2006

6. Asia Pacific Human Rights Network Report 19/09/06

7. Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, Pakistan: Displacement ongoing in a number of regions 15^th May, 2008

The Tale of Brutalities in Balochistan

The human rights violations of the Baloch by the Pakistani State Establishment are characterized by:

1. Humiliation of the Baloch socio-political leaders and personalities: in 2001, the respected Baloch nationalist personality and cheif of the Marri Tribe Nawab Khair Bux Marri was insulted, arrested and kept in solitary confinement for more than a year. In 2006, the house of Nawab Akber Bugti a prominent nationalist leader and president of Jamhoori Watan Pary was bombarded by the armed forces of Pakistan killing and injuring more than 70 people including women and children. 2007, the house of Sardar Attaullah Mengal, prominent nationalist leader and cheif of Mengal Tribe was targeted with rocket fire by the security forces. In 2006, president of the Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal was abducted, tortured and presented in a court held in a small cage. He was kept in solitary confinement for more than a year.

2. Abduction of political activists and human rights workers by the state security agencies: it is a routine by the security forces to abduct political, human right and student activists. They are usually held for many months tortured and later dumped in a remote area. Dr. Allanazar, Dr. Imdad Baloch and their friends were kidnapped and tortured and released after many months. Journalist Muneer Mengal was abducted from Karachi airport, tortured and kept in solitary imprisonment for many years. Some of the other names are Dr. Haneef Shareef, Professor Hassan Janan, Professor Misri Khan Mari and Abdulnabi Bungulzai.

3. Extra-judicial killings of political and social leaders and activists: Nawab Akber Bugti and hundreds of his followers were massacred in August, 2006 by the Pakistani army. His dead body was desecrated. Dr. Khalid a human right activist and his friends were murdered by the security forces in 2007.

4. Detention without trials: hundreds of political and social workers and civil rights activists are under detention without trials.

5. Abduction of the Baloch women by the Pakistani security forces: one hundred and forty three Baloch women are missing and believed to be abducted by the security forces.

6. Burning and bombardment of the Baloch villages: 54 villages and settlements in Balochistan have been burnt either by aerial bombardment or ground actions of the armed forces.

7. Forced Displacements of hundreds of thousands Baloch from their settlement: two hundred thousand Baloch have been forcefully dislocated by the armed forces and are living in miserable conditions throughout Balochistan.

The violation of human rights in Iranian Balochistan

Mr. President, the Baloch people in western Balochistan under Iranian control are facing the gross violation of their basic fundamental human rights. The Islamic regime of Iran resorts to most cruel approaches to suppress Baloch national aspirations in Balochistan. Arbitrary arrest, torture and other ill-treatment, as well as the use of the death penalty remain prevalent. Impunity for human rights abuses is widespread. Cultural and civic activities are banned or vigorously controlled by the regime. Publication of Balochi literature is not allowed, and Balochi are denied the right to educate their children in their own language. Systematic discrimination is exercised throughout Balochistan by the institutions. Non-governmental organizations, newspapers, magazines and websites have been forcibly closed by the authorities, which also regularly blocks internet access to a wide range of internet sites, including some relating to human rights. The Amnesty International in its recent report on the 30^th anniversary of Islamic Republic of Iran (5^th Feb 2009) has cited some graphic details on the state of affairs in Balochistan under the Iranian regime.

· Hundreds of Baloch people have been executed and killed by the regime in past few years. In 2008 a prominent civic activist Yahqob Mehrnehad who also was Secretary General of Justice Association was executed after many months of torture and imprisonment in Zahidan. Two prominent Baloch religious scholars, Molavi Abdul-Qodos Molazai and Molavi Yusuf Sohrabi with another 3 Baloch were executed under such fabricated allegations.

· On March 11, 2009 four Baloch, Normohd Ismailzai, Mojibulrahman Kurd, Babak Kurd and Mohd HassanKhan Hassani were executed in Zahidan. On March 3, 2009 two Baloch religious clergies, Molavi Khalilulla Zarahi and Salahudin Gwahramzahi were executed in Zahidan after being imprisoned and tortured for 9 months.

· Several religious leaders are under arrest and their whereabouts are not known to their relatives. Ibrahim Mehrnehad, the Younger brother of Yaqob Mehrnehad is still in prison and he is under mental tortures.

The Baloch Needs the Help of International Community

Mr. President, In the face of heinous crimes being committed by the Pakistani security forces in Balochistan and the unchecked violations of the basic human rights of the Baloch both in Pakistan and Iran, the silence of the international community is incomprehensible. The Baloch are facing a systematic genocide operation by an internationally recognised rogue state. The Baloch expectations and demands from the international community are genuine and simple. They are justified in demanding that:

1. The UN should establish a fact finding mission to investigate the acts of brutalities and violation of human rights by the state security forces of Pakistan in Balochistan.

2. The perpetrators of the heinous crimes against humanity should be brought to justice by initiating cases against them in the international court of justice in The Hague.

3. The United Nations should use their influence in asking the Pakistani establishment to immediately halt the aggressive actions against the Baloch.

4. The Baloch have never accepted the partition and incorporation of their land into different countries of the region. Right of self determination is the inalienable right of the Baloch people. The Baloch national question should be negotiated between the Baloch and the countries occupying the Baloch land under the auspices of the UN giving the universal right of self determination to the Baloch.

We believe that Baloch people need an urgent help from the UN and the international community. This is high time for the international community to rise and act before it is too late for Baloch people.

Yours faithfully,

(On the behalf of)

Interfaith International

P.O. (c.p.) Box 32,

1246 Corsier,

Geneva

Switzerland

UNPO Secretariat

PO Box 85878

2508 CN The Hague

The Netherlands

Baloch Human Rights Council

59 Forsyth Gardens

London SE17- 3NE

UK

Sindhi Baloch Forum

38 Barbican Road

Greenford

Middlesex UB6 9DH

UK

BHRC Canada protest against the murder of three Baloch political leaders

On Apr 23, 2009, the Vancouver Chapter of BHRC (Canada) is holding a peaceful rally to protest the brutal murders of Baloch political activists and leaders.

BHRC, Vancouver, will highlight Pakistani military crimes against citizens of Balochistan in an effort to help Canadians understand the ground reality in Balochistan. All defenders of human rights and peace loving citizens are invited to attend.

Location: in front of Vancouver Central Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, next to Canadian Broadcasting Corporations (CBC) building.

Press Release

Canada; BHRC (Press Release on April 23, 2009) Balochistan Human Rights Council of Canada, Vancouver, chapters through their rally appealed to the United Nations and Canadian government to notice and help to stop further extra judicial killing of Baloch leaders and activists by Pakistani intelligence agencies and to get to the heart of the catastrophic and unbearable situation of Balochistan.

We are gathered here today against the judicial killing of three significant Baloch leaders whom were kidnapped in broad day light on April 3rd, 2009 from a court chamber. They were Advocates of Kachkol Ali in Turbat, Balochistan. He was a Balochistan Assembly opposition leader and he has been an eyewitness of brazen kidnapping of three Baloch leaders.

The Pakistani state sponsored terrorist intelligence first tortured three leaders inhumanly, in barbaric methods that these three leaders suffered gun shots in their head. They committed the murder of three Baloch leaders: Mir Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch.

According to reports their dead bodies were carried by Pakistani Army helicopters and thrown 35 kilometers away from the location they disappeared and their dead bodies were found on April 8th, 2009 in the hills of Balochistan.

Of great notice is that the leader Mir Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, who negotiated with the United Nations staff along with the prominent Baloch leader Nawab Khair Baksh Marri, was a participant in releasing United Nation refugee agency director John Solecki. It was due to the efforts of these Baloch leaders that the United Nation refugee agency executive was released on April 2nd, 200. And surprisingly the next day of his release three Baloch leaders were kidnapped by Pakistani intelligence agencies.

The UN and US Embassy in Islamabad have both strongly condemned the barbaric acts and murder of three Baloch leaders. The United Nations showed their condolence to their families and called their murder a "serious concern".

BHRC is highlighting all human rights violations against their people in Western (Iranian occupied Balochistan) and Eastern (Pakistani occupied Balochistan). Iranian government is executing Baloch religious scholars and human rights activists because Baloch are a Sunni minority who are ruled by a Shia majority regime.

BHRC of Canada wants to remind the democratic world and the United Nations that since 2005 the there has been operations by the bloody Pakistani military against the Baloch people. Till today, there are hundreds of innocent Baloch included political activists, leaders, students and 141 Baloch women who are under the Pakistani military detention. They are being tortured and even 23 year old female Baloch teacher Zarina Marri has been kept as a sex slave by Pakistani military officers.

But they keep denying, similarly in January 2005 Pakistani military officer Hamed raped a female physician, Dr. Shazia Khalid in Sui, Balochistan. The state head, former dictator Pervez Musharraf, declared that his army officer is not guilty, till today he is free without any charge.

In Balochistan all the disappearances have been exposed by Baloch families who've tried all avenues such as hunger strikes, rally, press briefing, demonstration and have been approaching the Pakistani court and justice system for four years. They have been demanding to bring their loved ones to court, charge if they have committed any illegal act or else release them. But years have passed; there is no progress on this till today even under the present civilian government of Pakistan.

BHRC condemned both non-democratic and fundamentalist regimes of Pakistan and Iran their human rights violations against the Baloch people in both occupied Balochistan.

Aziz Baloch

BHRC (Vancouver chapters)

Baloch Human Rights Council of Canada (BHRC)

Report by Imtiaz Baloch, Spokesperson, BHRC Canada

On Friday April 17, The BHRC (Canada) the Toronto Chapter ask all Peace loving and Human rights organization of Toronto area to join hands with BHRC Canada to denounce the continuing killings taking place in Balochistan.Gathering to condemn the killings in Balochistan, Pakistan.DATE: FIRDAY APRIL 17, 2009, PLACE: 200 FRONT STREET WEST TORONTO IN FRONT OF CBC BUILDING. TIME: 4 PM Similar protests are being held in Vancouver, Calgary and other parts of Canada.

The following press release was sent to Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper, The Governor General Micheal Jean, all Canadian Parliamentarians and Senate.

BALOCH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (CANADA)

Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) strongly condemns the brutal and barbaric act of kidnapping, torture, and cold-blooded murder of three Baloch leaders by the Pakistani intelligence agencies on April 3, 2009. Baloch National Movement (BNM) Chairman Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Central Executive Committee member (BNM) Lala Munir, and Sher Mohammad Baloch of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) were found dead in the hills, 40 kilometers away from Turbat, capitol city of Makaran.

The three Baloch nationalist leaders were picked up by 12-14 masked, armed Pakistani Military Intelligence men from the chamber of the Advocate Kachkol Ali in Turbat and were taken to an undisclosed location where they were brutally tortured and shot in the head before dumping their bodies in the hills for scavengers. The bodies of the three leaders were carried by Pakistan Army helicopters from a secret location and dropped from the air. According to a report, the dead bodies were at least six days old, which indicates the fact that they were murdered the day of their forced disappearance.

It is notable that Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Baloch was also a member of the 10-member committee constituted to ascertain the identities of Balochistan's missing persons as well as to negotiate the release of UNHCR's Quetta director John Solecki. The timing of Mr. Baloch's murder by the state agencies, a day before John Solecki's release, is indicative of Pakistan government's dubious character in undermining Mr. Solecki's secure release from captivity.

Both the UN and the US Embassy in Islamabad have strongly condemned the gruesome murders of the three Baloch leaders and have called for immediate investigation into their deaths. The UN, which expressed its sympathies to the families of the deceased, called on Pakistani authorities to ensure that the committee continues its important work. The US Embassy said the role by one of the three leaders killed, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, in efforts to secure Mr. Solecki's release had been greatly appreciated. "We call on Pakistani authorities to thoroughly investigate these deaths and to bring those responsible to justice," the embassy said.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has blamed the authorities and has held them responsible for the torture and execution style murder of the three Baloch leaders. In a statement, HRCP called on the authorities for an investigation into the kidnapping, torture, and murder of the leaders; and to bring those responsible to justice.

BHRC calls on the Pakistani authorities to stop gross human rights violations, including forced disappearances, torture, and extra judicial killings of Baloch political activists and leaders in Balochistan. We demand the immediate release of all political detainees, and disappeared persons including 141 Baloch women, languishing in the Gestapo-like military intelligence torture cells.

BHRC calls on the Canadian Government, Legislative Assembly, political leaders, human rights organizations, judiciary and lawyers bodies, journalists, writers, and women rights organizations to help the Baloch people in their just struggle for peace, political and economic rights, democratic freedoms, and sovereignty over their land and natural resources in the light of the UN charter of rights.

Canada can play a positive humanitarian role in ending the conflict and violence in Balochistan by asserting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. Balochistanâ€TMs geopolitical status and its role in bringing peace in the region are significantly important for the Canadian forces stationed in Afghanistan. The secular and democratic Balochistan is the key to resolving violence and terrorism in the region perpetrated by religious extremists and their handlers, namely the Pakistani intelligence agencies responsible for the gross human rights violations against the Baloch people.

Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) is affiliated with the London-based Baloch Human rights Council formed in August 2008 in London, UK. BHRC is a non-profit organization that strives for the political, economic, and cultural rights of the indigenous people of western Balochistan (in Iran) and eastern Balochistan (in Pakistan).

BHRC Letter to UN Secretary General

Mr. Ban Ki-moon

The Secretary General

United Nations Organization

New York 10017

Subject: UN probe demanded into the Cold-blooded murder of the Baloch leaders

Dear Mr. Secretary General,

We would like to draw your attention to the cold-blooded murders of Baloch political activists Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Sher Mohammad Baloch and Lala Muneer Baloch by the Pakistani Military Intelligence Agency (MI) and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). They were picked up by the members of Military Intelligence on 3rd April, 2009 from the office of their solicitor in Turbat, Balochistan. The Baloch leaders were blind folded and taken to an unknown destination. They were tortured whilst under detention, shot and the next day they were thrown from a military helicopter 20 miles away from Turbat.

Ghulam Mohammad, Sher Mohammad and Lala Muneer were among the well- known political leaders in Balochistan and have steadfastly worked at the forefront of the political mobilization for the genuine rights of the Baloch people. During 2007 they were arrested by the security agencies, tortured, kept in solitary confinement for months without trial before being released.

Mr. Secretary General,

Balochistan is under a brutal military operation for the last five years in which thousands of innocent men, women and children have been mercilessly killed, hundreds of thousands have been displaced and thousands are missing. A large number of prominent Baloch social, intellectual and political figures have been targeted and eliminated by the state security agencies of Pakistan. The state establishment of Pakistan has always remained very keen to silence the voice of reason raised for the lawful rights of the Baloch people.

Crude military force has been the only mode of action adopted by almost every Pakistani Government in dealing with the Baloch demand for national rights. Extra- judicial killings of the Baloch by the army, paramilitary and state intelligence agencies, harassment, kidnapping and inhuman torture of the Baloch political activists and intellectuals during the sustained military campaigns have been permanent features of the state and Baloch conflict. Graphic details of human rights violation in Balochistan have been published by different non-governmental organizations and international humanitarian institutions. Some of the reports are mentioned below:

1. USSD Country Report on Human Rights Practices, Pakistan 2007 11/03/08
2. Amnesty International Annual report, May 2008
3. International Crisis Group: Pakistan: The Worsening Conflict In Balochistan 14/09/06
4. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan fact finding mission, "Conflict in Balochistan" 2005-2006
5. Balochistan Dossier by Balochistan National Party June 2006
6. Asia Pacific Human Rights Network Report 19/09/06
7. Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, Pakistan: Displacement ongoing in a number of regions 15th May, 2008

Mr. Secretary General,

In face of the heinous crimes being committed by the Pakistani security forces in Balochistan, the silence of the international community is incomprehensible. The Baloch are facing systematic genocide. It is high time for the international community to rise and act before it is too late for Baloch people. We believe that Baloch people need urgent help from the UN.

We, therefore, demand justice for the Baloch people. Failing to do so will mean letting down a people who are being minced under the powerful jaws of the military establishment of a recognized rogue state. We hope that the Secretary General may kindly take a personal interest in pushing for a thorough and independent international investigation into the cold-blooded murder of the Baloch political leaders and other abuses of international human rights and humanitarian laws by the Pakistani Army in Balochistan. We firmly believe that no individual or state should be above International Law. Those who are responsible for grave violation of human rights must be held accountable.

The Baloch expectations and demands from the international community are realistic and simple.

1. We demand that the UN should establish a fact finding mission to investigate the extra-judicial killings of Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Sher Mohammad Baloch and Lala Muneer Baloch.
2. We demand that the perpetrators of the crimes against humanity in Balochistan should be brought to justice by initiating cases against them in the international court of justice in The Hague.

Yours faithfully,

Muhammad Akbar Baluch

Executive President

Baloch Human Rights Council

B H R C Strongly Condemn The Cold Blooded Murders Of Baloch Political Activists

April 09, 2009

Waja Ghulam Mohammad, Waja Sher Mohammad and Lala Muneer have steadfastly been in the forefront of the political mobilisation for the genuine rights of the Baloch people. Last year, they have been arrested by the security agencies, tortured, kept in solitary confinement for long period before releasing them

Balochi Human Rights Council (BHRC) strongly condemns the cold blooded murders of Baloch political activists Waja Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Waja Sher Mohammad Baloch and Lala Muneer Baloch by the Pakistani Military Intelligence Agency. They were picked up by security personnel on 3rdApril, 2009 from the office of their solicitor in Turbat Balochistan.

Waja Ghulam Mohammad, Waja Sher Mohammad and Lala Muneer have steadfastly been in the forefront of the political mobilisation for the genuine rights of the Baloch people. Last year, they have been arrested by the security agencies, tortured, kept in solitary confinement for long period before releasing them. It is being reported by reliable sources that after picking them up from the office of Mr. Kachkol Ali Advocate on 3rd of this month, the Baloch leaders were blind folded and taken to an unknown destination. It is believed that they were thrown from a military helicopter after being tortured to death in Peedark hills next day 20 miles away from Turbat.

Balochistan is under a brutal military operation for the last five years in which a large number of prominent social, intellectual and political figures have been targeted and eliminated by the state security agencies of Pakistan. The state establishment of Pakistan has always remained very keen to silence the voice of reason raised for the genuine rights of the Baloch people.

This disgusting act of the intelligence agencies of Pakistan reminds us of the inhuman acts of brutalities on the Bengali political leadership during the last days of East Pakistan. It also reminds us how immoral and shameless an enemy Baloch are facing.

This is high time for the international human rights organisations and the international community to take serious notice of the crimes against humanity being committed by the Pakistani state in Balochistan. We are writing memorandums at this respect to UN Secretary General, president of European Union and many other international humanitarian organisations.


Issued By:
Samad Baloch
General Secretary
Baloch Human Rights Council London 9 April 2009

Unpo And The Balochistan Community Demonstrate In Geneva For The International Community To Intervene In The Worsening Human Rights Situation In Balochistan

March 23, 2009

A conference on Human Rights situation in Balochistan was also held in the UN conference room at 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, chaired by interfaith international president Mr. Charles Graves

Press Release
Dated: 23-03-09

Interfaith international with the collaboration of UNPO, Baloch Human Rights Council, World Sindhi Congress, Sindhi Baloch Forum and Balochistan Rights Movement held a peaceful protest rally against the Pakistani and Iranian state terrorism and brutalities in Balochistan on Friday 20 March 2009 from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm in front of the United Nations office in Geneva Switzerland. The slogans on the placards high lighted various aspects of human right violation of the Baloch by the Pakistani and Iranian States.

A conference on Human Rights situation in Balochistan was also held in the UN conference room at 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, chaired by interfaith international president Mr. Charles Graves.

Senator Sana Baloch presented a detailed graphic accounts of injustices, atrocities, human rights violations, political, social deprivations, abduction & extra judicial killing of Baloch civilians including women & children, Target killing of Baloch leaders and Baloch intellectuals by Pakistani State. The presentation exposed both Pakistani and Iranian state’s brutalities on the Baloch people on both sides of the Goldsmid Line.

Mehran Baloch of Balochistan Human Rights Movement stated that 61 years of slavery & occupation of Pakistan has given Baloch no other option but to demand and gets its Freedom. A free & sovereign Balochistan is the demand of Baloch nation, United Nations and international community should support the genuine Baloch demand for freedom of Balochistan.

Noordin Mengal spoke of Pakistani state terrorism and target killing of Baloch leadership and abduction of Baloch civilian by state agencies. He warned that the Baloch had suffered a lot in the hands of Pakistani & Iranian states and time has come for the Baloch to get their independent state Balochistan. He said he has trust and faith on international community who will appreciate and support the legitimate right of the Baloch nation for freedom.

Munir Mengal spoke of his ordeal in Pakistani torture cell. He said he was abducted by the Pakistani secret agencies. He said his only crime was that he had publicly announced that he wanted to launch a Balochi TV. He gave a graphic detailed of tortures that he has faced during his solitary confinement including the ordeal of MS. Zarrina Marri.

The president of United Nations Human Rights Commission for Pakistan desk spoke to the conference and clearly confirmed that there are gross human rights violations happening in Balochistan by Pakistani security agencies. He read a lengthy account of Pakistani state terrorism in Balochistan and assured the conference and Baloch people that United Nations is serious and pressurizing Pakistan and would use its office to stop these atrocities and human rights violations happing in Balochistan

Dr. Lakhu Luhana of World Sindhi Congress expressed his nation’s solidarity with Baloch people and said it is Sind and Balochistan’s resources which are generating money to Pakistan’s economy. He drew the international community’s attention to the heinous crimes committed by Pakistani state against humanity in both Balochistan and in Sindh and warned that the same enemy has also knocked the doors of international community. Pakistan & its security agencies are not only a danger for Baloch & Sindhis but also a threat for the peace & security of the region and as well as for the international community. It is time that international community should commit itself in supporting the genuine & legitimate rights of Sindh and Balochistan for self determination according UN charter.

The representative of UNPO, the representatives of European Union South Asian Group, minister from the Canadian government, Peace and Nationality representative of Austria, United Nations High commissioner for Refugees and many other members of The United Nations Human Rights Council and NGOs from Europe expressed their opinion and shared their sympathies with the Baloch nation and pledged their support for their demand of self determination according UN charters .

It is worth noting that for the first time the delegates of different Baloch Organizations from Europe, Scandinavia and other parts of the world attended the Geneva protest and Baloch conference. Members of Baloch Human Rights Council were among the participants. Others who participated were Mr. Nasser Mohtashami, Rahim Baloch, Abdulla Baloch, Iqbal Baloch, Mir Ghulam Hussain Baloch, Jamshed Amiri, Saeed Baloch, Sadiech Baloch, Dur Mohd Baloch, Abdulla Hossainbor and Samad Baloch were among the Baloch participants. The Main organizers of the protest rally and the conference in Geneva were the interfaith international, representative of UNPO and Mr. Noordin Mengal.

A memorandum to the president of United Nations Human Rights Council is handed over on behalf of of the interfaith international, UNPO, Baloch Human Rights Council, World Sindhi Congress, Sindhi Baloch forum. A copy of the memorandum is attached with.

At the end of the conference an appeal was launched on behalf of the participants of the conference, and the Baloch representatives for the safe release of UNHCR representative Mr. John Solicky.

Issued by:
Samad Baloch
Secretary General
Baloch Human Rights Council London
info_bhrc@yahoo.co.uk

Press Release: April 17, 2009

BALOCH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ( CANADA )

see pictures from rally

Toronto, April 17, 2009 – Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) held a protest rally in Toronto to express their shock and concern over the abduction, torture, and extra judicial killings of the three Baloch leaders, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir, and Sher Mohammad Baloch by the Pakistani military intelligence agencies. The rally was attended by Baloch community of Toronto, World Sindhi Institute, Canadian Kashmiri Association, and Pakhtunkhwa Peace Forum.

The rally was addressed by Humaira Rahman of WSI, Javed Khan of Pakhtunkhwa Peace Forum, Mumtaz Khan of Canadian Kashmiri Association, and Zaffar Baloch of Baloch Human Rights Council ( Canada ). The speakers condemned the torture and cold-blooded murders of the three Baloch leaders by the Pakistani military intelligence agencies and demanded the killers to be brought to justice.

The speakers expressed their concern over the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan and appealed to the international community to take serious notice of the deepening political crisis in Balochistan.

They demanded an immediate halt to the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and the withdrawal of the 80,000 troops from the province. The rally asked for immediate release of the disappeared persons, political detainees, including the 141 Baloch women kidnapped by the Pakistani intelligence agencies.

The speakers demanded that the Baloch peoples' right and sovereignty over their lands and natural resources should be unconditionally accepted by the Pakistani government in accordance to UN charter of rights of nations, including the political and economic freedoms and the right to self determination.

***

Release: Apr 14, 2009
by the BALOCH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OF CANADA

The BHRC (Canada) the Toronto Chapter hereby declares peaceful procession against the brutal and barbaric killings of Baloch Leaders in Turbat, Balochistan.

Place: 200 Front Street West in front of CBC Building
Date: Friday April 17, 2009
Time: 4.00 All peace loving people, political activist, human rights defender are invited to join the cause.
For more info please call Imtiaz Baloch 416-841-7866

Note: On Sunday a Condolence meeting was held for Baloch Women organized by BHRC-Canada for Ghulam Mohammed, Sher Mohammad and Lala Muneer. Nader Baloch spoke on the occassion. A Dua'a was held at the end.

This press release was sent to Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper , The Governor General Micheal Jean, all Canadian Parliamentarians and Senate.

BALOCH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ( CANADA )

Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) strongly condemns the brutal and barbaric act of kidnapping, torture, and cold-blooded murder of three Baloch leaders by the Pakistani intelligence agencies on April 3, 2009. Baloch National Movement (BNM) Chairman Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Central Executive Committee member (BNM) Lala Munir, and Sher Mohammad Baloch of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) were found dead in the hills, 40 kilometers away from Turbat, capitol city of Makaran.

The three Baloch nationalist leaders were picked up by 12-14 masked, armed Pakistani Military Intelligence men from the chamber of the Advocate Kachkol Ali in Turbat and were taken to an undisclosed location where they were brutally tortured and shot in the head before dumping their bodies in the hills for scavengers. The bodies of the three leaders were carried by Pakistan Army helicopters from a secret location and dropped from the air. According to a report, the dead bodies were at least six days old, which indicates the fact that they were murdered the day of their forced disappearance.

It is notable that Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Baloch was also a member of the 10-member committee constituted to ascertain the identities of Balochistan's missing persons as well as to negotiate the release of UNHCR's Quetta director John Solecki. The timing of Mr. Baloch's murder by the state agencies, a day before John Solecki 's release, is indicative of Pakistan government's dubious character in undermining Mr. Solecki's secure release from captivity.

Both the UN and the US Embassy in Islamabad have strongly condemned the gruesome murders of the three Baloch leaders and have called for immediate investigation into their deaths. The UN, which expressed its sympathies to the families of the deceased, called on Pakistani authorities to ensure that the committee continues its important work. The US Embassy said the role by one of the three leaders killed, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, in efforts to secure Mr. Solecki's release had been greatly appreciated. ‘We call on Pakistani authorities to thoroughly investigate these deaths and to bring those responsible to justice,' the embassy said.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has blamed the authorities and has held them responsible for the torture and execution style murder of the three Baloch leaders. In a statement, HRCP called on the authorities for an investigation into the kidnapping, torture, and murder of the leaders; and to bring those responsible to justice.

BHRC calls on the Pakistani authorities to stop gross human rights violations , including forced disappearances, torture, and extra judicial killings of Baloch political activists and leaders in Balochistan. We demand the immediate release of all political detainees, and disappeared persons including 141 Baloch women, languishing in the Gestapo-like military intelligence torture cells.

BHRC calls on the Canadian Government, Legislative Assembly, political leaders , human rights organizations , judiciary and lawyers bodies, journalists, writers, and women rights organizations to help the Baloch people in their just struggle for peace, political and economic rights, democratic freedoms, and sovereignty over their land and natural resources in the light of the UN charter of rights.

Canada can play a positive humanitarian role in ending the conflict and violence in Balochistan by asserting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan . Balochistan's geopolitical status and its role in bringing peace in the region are significantly important for the Canadian forces stationed in Afghanistan . The secular and democratic Balochistan is the key to resolving violence and terrorism in the region perpetrated by religious extremists and their handlers, namely the Pakistani intelligence agencies responsible for the gross human rights violations against the Baloch people.

Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) is affiliated with the London-based Baloch Human rights Council formed in August 2008 in London, UK. BHRC is a non-profit organization that strives for the political, economic, and cultural rights of the indigenous people of western Balochistan (in Iran ) and eastern Balochistan (in Pakistan).