Chairman of Baloch National Movement, Dr. Naseem Baloch, speaking at an event on the occasion of the 52nd regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, said that China-Pakistan alliance is not only a threat to Western interests, but this alliance is a threat to the basic human rights of the Baloch people. It also directly attacks rights.
The conference was organized by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in consultative capacity with United Nations agencies for freedom of conscience, associations and individuals.
He said in his address that ever since Pakistan occupied Balochistan, the people of Balochistan are struggling to lead a normal life. Pakistan’s oppressive actions have threatened the livelihood, culture, traditions and languages of the region. Majority of the population of Balochistan lived in the mountains and depended on herding for their livelihood. However, with the escalation of military operations, their livelihoods are at stake, and they are forced to leave their mountains and villages.
Chairman Dr. Naseem severely criticized China-Pakistan’s so-called Economic Corridor and said that earlier, Pakistan was involved in human rights violations alone in Balochistan, but now China has also stepped up its pressure. It has allied with Pakistan to implement the One Belt One Road project, part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The forced implementation of the project has resulted in the displacement of thousands of local people living along this route in Balochistan. To pave the way for CPEC, many villages were burnt and many military camps and posts were established in the name of protecting Chinese interests. The Sino-Pakistan alliance not only threatens Western interests but also directly attacks the basic human rights of the Baloch people.
He highlighted the current situation of human rights violations in Balochistan and said that only in February 2023, 39 cases of enforced disappearance were reported, including two women Rashida Zehri and Mahal Baloch. Mahal Baloch was first subjected to enforced disappearance and then she was falsely accused of being a militant. She was abducted along with her mother-in-law and two baby girls, and all of them went missing for more than 24 hours. She was produced in court a week later. Similarly, Rashida Zahri was abducted along with her husband and children. Although Rashida was released after 11 days of torture, her husband Rahim Zahri is still missing. Another heartbreaking incident in Awaran area,occurred in Gishkore where Bakhsh Maskan was called to an army camp and brutally tortured. After his release, he succumbed to his injuries and died.
Dr. Naseem described Pakistan as a threat not only to the region but also to the world. He said, ‘it is important that the United Nations and other international powers around the world identify and address the root causes of insecurity and loss of human life and formulate a comprehensive policy to combat them. The region can never achieve security and stability as long as Pakistan is not driven by fanaticism and terrorism. Will continue to nurture and support terrorism. Pakistan’s policy of creating and using religious militant proxies has resulted in the empowerment of most uncontrolled militants and Islamic extremists, which ultimately poses a threat to world peace. Pakistani-trained extremists have carried out terrorist attacks from Europe and the Middle East to India. The civilized world must support nations and local movements fighting against this dangerous religious fanaticism. Nations like Baloch, Sindhi and Pashtun are struggling to save centuries old secular civilizations from the clutches of religious extremists. The international community should take notice of this urgent problem and support the efforts of freedom fighters in the region.
He further said that Baloch are struggling against Pakistan’s ideologically Islamic army and its religious proxies to protect their liberal and secular values. Now he said is the time for the international community to recognize that the problem of Balochistan is not only regional but a global problem. The world should support the Baloch people in their fight for freedom against Chinese domination and growing Islamic extremism. As a global economic and political power, Europe has a responsibility to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions in Balochistan. Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GPS Plus) Agreement Pakistan demands to uphold and respect human rights laws and values. He said ‘We urge Europe to not only bring up the dire situation in Balochistan at the next meeting, but also to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. Baloch people have suffered a lot’.