European Parliament Vice President Opposes the Killing in Balochistan
Brussels, BE, Belgium, -- Mr. Janusz Onyszkiewicz Vice President European
Parliament and 66 other Members of the European Parliament jointly
submitted a petition to President Josep Borell, President European
Parliament urging him to impress upon the Government of Pakistan to stop
the killing of Innocent Women and Children in Pakistan's Balochistan
Province.
The people of Balochistan, a province located along the borders of
Pakistan with Iran and Afghanistan , are being subjected to an armed
onslaught by Pakistan's armed forces , when they have only sought to
articulate their grievances and seek their just rights . The Baloch have
long protested that while the rest of Pakistan has prospered through the
exploitation of their province's resources by the Government of Pakistan,
Balochistan itself remains the most backward province in Pakistan devoid
of development or adequate employment opportunities. The Baloch fear that
the policies of the present government, like the Government's of the past,
appear geared to changing the demographics of the province; turning the
Baloch into a minority in their own homeland; and exploiting their
resources for the benefit of a dominant Punjab.
The unwarranted military action by Pakistan's armed forces, has spared
neither women nor children resulting in widespread human rights
violations. The situation has been exacerbated by the attempts of the
military government of General Pervez Musharraf , to tarnish the image of
the Baloch leaders; indulge in manipulations to pit tribe against tribe
and clan against clan; and rubbish the genuine grievances of the people ;
while refusing to deal honestly with the deprivation of the province. The
media and NGOs have not been allowed free and unfettered access to the
areas targeted by Pakistan's forces making it impossible for the world
community to acquaint itself with the real picture of the horrendous
situation in the province.
In the petition the Members of the European Parliament have requested that
the economic and political rights of the population of Balochistan must be
respected by Pakistan. The MEPs have called for the appointment of a
special rapporteur on Balochistan; the closing down of the irregular
detention camps; free access for the media and representatives of civil
society including access to jails ; and guaranteed freedom to the Red
Cross to operate freely in the region.
Mr. Onyszkiwiez also mentioned in a press conference that he and his
colleagues will be organizing a conference on the Current Situation in
Balochistan which will interalia have several victims of violence in
Balochistan province speaking about their experiences. (IndiaPRwire.com)
31.3.06
For more information, Please contact:
Maria WPC
PR, World Peace Council
3227083555, 0
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