PAKISTAN: The Long March in support of the families of victims of enforced disappearances is under threat and the government is preparing to halt the marchers by force

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received reports that Mama Qadeer, the organiser of the Long March from Balochistan to Islamabad, the purpose of which is to urge the Pakistani government to do something about the ongoing enforced disappearances of Balochi activists is receiving death threats. The marchers have now reached an area just ten miles outside of Wazirabad and Qadeer and his supporters, Qadeer Baloch and Banuk Farzana Majeed Baloch addressed the crowd and explained to them about the situation of Baloch and Long March. Mama Qadeer informed his supporters that he had received serious threatening phone calls from an unknown number. The caller stated categorically that a decision has been taken that the march will not be allowed to enter into Pindi. The person stated that all preparations have already been made to ensure that the march is stopped before hand. The caller told Mama that the march should return rather than continue and that Mama Qadeer would not be allowed to present his demands before the UN in "anyway shape or form". At the time of writing the marchers are resting near Wazirabad and the police patrols that surround them have increased dramatically. For the first time it has been noticed that a contingent of lady police is also present (such a contingent of lady policewomen is only brought when women have to be arrested or controlled). The presence of this lady contingent is causing great anxiety amongst the marchers as it appears that there may be an attempt to halt the march with force.  Read More: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-032-2014