BHRC Letter to UNHCR , requesting to help Baloch refugees in Greece

There are an estimated 300 Baloch refugees in different camps in Athens , Greece, some of them having families with them. The Greek Governments generally considers them as Pakistanis. Since Balochistan is a conflict area where people suffer harsh persecution and death on pure suspicion by Pakistan Army. The international media is not allowed to report from Balochistan. Even the Pakistani media is under order by the Pakistan Army not to provide news or documentary coverage. It is our finding that the human rights situation in Balochistan is dire and terrifying akin to Syria. 
Therefore Bhrc has written a letter TO UNHRC requesting for urgent consideration of their cases. please read the full text of the letter below;

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Case Postale 2500
CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt
Suisse.

Dated:  2 December 2015

Subject: Baloch refugees in Greece

Dear High Commissioner,

There are an estimated 300 Baloch refugees in different camps in Athens, some of them having families with them. Baloch Human Rights Council request for urgent consideration of their cases and appeals you for assistance and help. 

Dear Sir,

These Baloch refugees fled their homeland Balochistan as it is currently under a brutal military operation by the Pakistan Army. The Army has been conducting military operations in pursuit of members of the Baloch resistance organizations which are resisting the exploitation and subjugation of the Baloch by Pakistan for the last many years.

As a result, most of the areas in Balochistan are affected by this ongoing conflict between the Pakistan Army and the Baloch resistance fighters. In the last few months, Pakistan Army escalated the conflict by deploying a very large number of ground troops, aided by jet fighters and helicopter gunships.

It is reported by Baloch human rights activists in Balochistan that the Pakistan Army has been carrying out indiscriminate aerial bombardment in recent months. Many houses were burnt down and destroyed by the military operations of Pakistan army.

The Pakistan Army allegedly suspect Baloch villagers for giving help and sanctuary to the Baloch fighters. Therefore there has been a large mass displacement of villagers. Many of them fled their home for fear of reprisal from Pakistani Army. Many of the innocent Baloch people have been abducted, tortured and subsequently killed by the Pakistan Army; and their bodies have been dumped either on roadside or in remote areas in Balochistan. Thousands are believed to be missing. Pakistani government admitted that eight thousand Baloch are missing.

The Baloch refugees in the Athens camps are the fortunate ones who could fled and reached Europe. They require protection on humanitarian grounds.

It is brought to our attention by these Baloch refugees that they are not permitted to travel and seek asylum in another EU country because they are considered to be Pakistani. In a recent EU directive, Pakistanis are considered differently from Syrians and Iraqis.

Our plea to you is that Balochistan is a conflict area where people suffer harsh persecution and death on pure suspicion by Pakistan Army. The international media is not allowed to report from Balochistan. Even the Pakistani media is under order by the Pakistan Army not to provide news or documentary coverage. It is our finding that the human rights situation in Balochistan is dire and terrifying akin to Syria.

Therefore the Baloch refugees in Athens camps must be considered in a special category, not Pakistani as general by the Greek immigration authorities so that they might be able to  seek refuge in another EU country.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Your Sincerely,

General Secretary

Baloch Human Rights Council (UK)

www.balochistanhcr.blogspot.com

info_bhrc@yahoo.co.uk

CC: UNHCR OFFICE in Greece

CC; Greece Ministry of interior

CC: Greece Foreign Minister & Secretary General Of the foreign Minister

CC: Amnesty International Secretariat