Pakistani State Atrocities against Baloch Civilians Continue Under Pretence of Elections

Press Release

Toronto, April 22: Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) has expressed serious concerns related to the rising tide of Pakistan state atrocities against civilians across Balochistan. BHRC noted that not a day goes by when Baloch activists belonging to various nationalist and pro-independence organisations are not picked up, subjected to torture, target-killed, and their mutilated bodies dumped in different locations in Balochistan and Karachi.

BHRC strongly condemned the illegal abductions, torture, and continued ‘kill & dump’ of Baloch activists at the hands of Pakistan Army and its allied security forces namely ISI, MI, and the paramilitary Frontier Corps.

According to sources two more bodies have been found, one from Dera Bugti in Balochistan, identified as Raja Bugti s/o Bangal Bugti, while another was discovered from Mangopir area of Karachi, recognized as Takseer s/o Mohd Ibrahim Baloch. Raja Bugti, member of Baloch Republican Party (BRP), was abducted by Pakistani security forces on April 14, 2013 during a protest rally marking the anniversary of the martyrs of Murghab. Mr. Takseer was enforced disappeared by security agencies 3 months ago from Turbat, Balochistan.

During a door-to-door search operation in Panjgur, Balochistan, state security forces illegally abducted 4 Baloch civilians including a central committee member of BRP. The identities of the abductees have become known as Asghar Baloch, Waheed Baloch, Zaheer Baloch, and Haji Anwar Adil, CC member of BRP.

Ali Jan Baloch, central committee member of Baloch National Movement (BNM), was target-killed on April 19, 2013 by paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers during a raid at his house in Tehsil Jaho, Distt. Awaran, Balochistan. Ali Jan was a teacher by profession and considered a local intellectual, promoting education at grassroots level.

Moreover, the house of Hooran Baloch, leader of the women wing of BRP, was fired upon by personnel of FC to intimidate her and the family. Luckily, no one was reported injured during this incident. Meanwhile 5 Marri Baloch were abducted during a raid conducted by Pakistani paramilitary forces from the Chapi Kach area of Kahan, the Marri tribal area of Balochistan. The whereabouts and the fate of the 5 abducted Marri Baloch remains unknown to date.

BHRC drew attention of the international community, human rights bodies, and the Western nations to take solemn notice of the human rights crisis in Balochistan that is spiralling out of control. The Pakistani establishment and its armed forces are using the pretence of a sham election to crush the voice of dissent and freedom in Balochistan.

Zaffar Baloch,

President, BHRC (Canada)