|
|
|
|
HRCP unable to access
Kohlu The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) tried
to visit Kohlu but was only able to reach the border of Kahan, where
aerial attacks have been reported in the past ten days, said HRCP
Chairperson Asma Jahangir on Wednesday
Paramilitary forces attacked Kohlu with bombs and differences remain
between claims by government officials and tribal leaders over civilian
causalities and damage, said Jahangir. She highlighted that HRCP was
unable to reach the actual area, so it could not give details of
casualties or damage to civilians. “It is clear that paramilitary forces
mounted aerial attacks in the area,” she added.
She also met leaders of Baloch nationalist parties and others who
expressed grievances against law enforcement agencies. She said that
human rights were violated all over the country but the situation in
Balochistan was the worst.
Baloch nationalists claim the government started a military operation
here ten days ago and many civilians have been killed. However,
government officials say that paramilitary forces are only taking action
against people suspected of firing rockets and bombing infrastructure
and Frontier Corps checkpoints. By Azizullah Khan 29.12.05 |
|
|
HRCP calls
for talks on Baloch concerns
The Human Rights Commission team visiting Kohlu has pleaded for a
political dialogue between the government and the Baloch political
leadership to normalize the alarming situation in the province.
Commission chairperson Asma Jahangir said Balochistan was being pushed
towards isolation, but the commission would highlight excesses,
oppression and violation of human rights against the people of the
province.
Asma Jahangir, accompanied by Dr Muhbashar Hasan, Afrasaib Khattak and
Zahoor Ahmed Shahwani, was in the first team that went to Kohlu after a
military operation launched in the area.
Briefing newsmen at a press conference here on Wednesday, she said the
visit was aimed at verifying the reports of torture, military action,
arbitrary detentions and involvement of intelligence agencies in the
political matters.
She said the team had seen certain security check posts established on
way to Kohlu and people were being humiliated there.
The government, she said, created security problems to justify the
establishment of the check posts.
She said Marri tribal elders claimed killing of about 120 tribesmen in
bombing and added that the team had asked for the names of victims and
the places targeted in bombardment.
In reply to a query, she held out assurance that the human rights body
would raise this violation issue domestically and at the world human
rights forums as per commission’s charter of the United Nation.
The HRCP chairperson claimed that the team had met the victims and
family members of the detainees that complained of the violation of
human rights by intelligence agencies.
She said some local journalists had also complained that the
intelligence agencies had threatened them and told them to send news
items according to their wishes.
Afrasaib Khattak said the security staff had stopped them at Talli for
90 minutes and they had been allowed entry to Kohlu only when the
commander returned from patrolling.
He said the team had seen regular troops and paramilitary forces
equipped with artillery guns on the desert road towards Kahan. However,
the team had not seen any other human being there, as it had travelled
for about 80 minutes and returned to Sibi, he said.
Mr Khattak said security officials had told the team that forces had
dismantled outlaws’ camps where abducted persons had been kept. He said
other tribesmen in the area had informed the team that Marri tribesmen
had fled after the launch of a military operation.
The HRCP member said the main problem was that the government wanted to
construct the road to Kahan without the consent of the locals.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhbashar Hasan attributed the conflict to
contradictions between the government and Sardars, and between people
and chieftains as all three enjoyed commendable influence in their
respective spheres to challenge each other.
He said the unpleasant situation prevailed in the province had created
panic and distress among people in Quetta, which was not a good omen for
the country.
Dr Muhbashar called for transparent talks between opponent groups and
stressed that progress on dialogues should remain open.
Dawn.com
29.12.05 |
|
|
|
