Press Release
Baloch
Human Rights Council (UK) strongly condemns the kidnapping and illegal
detention of the Baloch writer Abdul Wahid Baloch by Pakistani intelligence
agencies.
Abdul
Wahid Baloch, is a well-known social worker, writer and activist. He was picked
up by security agencies four months ago but no one knows where he is being
held. Like tens of hundreds of other Baloch social and political activists, he has
completely disappeared from the radar. His family and friends have not been
told about the whereabouts of Mr Baloch. He has so far been neither charged nor
produced before a court of law.
On
26 July, he was returning from a wedding in Karachi when he and a friend were
stopped by two law enforcement agents. After checking their IDs, the officers
arrested Mr Baloch and his friend was allowed to go who informed Mr Baloch's
family about his arrest. The family then made inquiries with the Police who
denied any knowledge of the arrest. They then tried several times to report his
disappearance to the local police station but all in vain. Police simply
refused to listen to them and file an F.I.R. (First Information Report). In the
Pakistani legal system the courts won't entertain a case without an F.I.R.,
i.e., a proper police report. After losing hope in the police they filed a suit
in the provincial High Court. The judges ordered the police to file an F.I.R.
and at the same time ordered them as well as all the secret agencies to produce
Mr Baloch before the court on August 16th. Despite the court order, neither he
has been produced before the court nor has a formal F.I.R been lodged against
the kidnappers of Mr. Baloch.
BHRC
believes that disappearance of Mr. Abdul Wahid Baloch is in accordance with the
continuing policy of the Pakistani state to physically eliminate the cream of
the Baloch society. The Pakistan military and its secret agencies are free to
arrest, detain, torture and kill the Baloch people from all walks of society
with impunity. Taking into account the track record of state security agencies
regarding the Baloch political and social activists, Mr Baloch's life is in
grave danger.
BHRC
believes that such crimes of the Pakistani intelligence agencies tantamount to
genocidal acts punishable under international laws. BHRC therefore appeals to the
international community to take notice of the brutalities of Pakistani army and
its agencies which are involved in crime against humanity on daily bases.
BHRC is highly concern about the physical security of Mr. Abdul Wahid Baloch and therefore appeals to all human rights & freedom loving, democratic organisations,
parties and individuals to take cognisance of such inhuman activities of the
Pakistani state agencies and put pressure on Pakistan to save Mr. Abdul Wahid
Baloch’s life.
Issued
By:
Secretary General
BHRC
(UK)
Dated; 20 November 2016
Dated; 20 November 2016
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