BHRC Seriously Concerned Over Death Threats to Abdul Qadeer Baloch, VBMP Members by Pakistani ISI Death Squads in Balochistan

****PRESS RELEASE****

Baloch Human Rights Council(Canada) Seriously Concerned Over Death Threats to Abdul Qadeer Baloch, VBMP Members by Pakistani ISI Death Squads in Balochistan:

 Toronto, 10-19-2012 – Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) has expressed serious concerns regarding the life-threatening statements against Abdul Qadeer Baloch and members of Voice of Baloch Missing Personspublished in Daily Tawar, Quetta.The Balochistan-based daily newspaper published a statement of Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Amn Balochistan, an ISI death squad, stating that Abdul Qadeer Baloch and VBMP members should quit their struggle or be prepared to face elimination.

Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Amn Balochistan is responsible for the extra-judiciary killings and abductions of a large number of Baloch political activists.

Abdul Qadeer Baloch is the Vice President of VBMP and father of Jalil Reki who was abducted by intelligence agency personnel from Quetta on February 13, 2009 and his bullet-ridden body was discovered near Panjgur on November 24, 2011.

Furthermore, it should be noted that prior to killing and dumping Jalil Reki, Abdul Qadeer Baloch was approached by unidentified persons who delivered a threat message that if he did not end the hunger strike camp (for missing persons) outside Quetta Press Club, his son will be killed.

BHRC statement emphasized that the Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani, Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the law enforcement authorities were fully aware of the threats and dangers involving the lives of families of the victims of the enforced disappearances, and yet no action has been taken. It is noteworthy that in February 2010 (prior to the killing of Jalil Reki), the frail mother (of Jalil Reki) had appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the UN, and human rights organizations to intervene and play a role in the release of thousands of abducted Baloch activists including her son.

BHRC strongly condemns such threats and state policy of intimidation towards the family members of the disappeared persons. The statement further emphasized that Raisani Government, President Zardari, Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the law enforcement authorities will be held responsible if any harm came to Abdul Qadeer Baloch and VBMP activists.

Zaffar Baloch,

President, BHRC (Canada)