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UNITED NATIONS Press Release |
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| SUB-COMMISSION
DISCUSSES WORKING PAPER ON DISAPPEARANCE OF STATES AND TERRITORIES FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS
Continues Debate on Issues Related to Prevention of Discrimination 2nd August 2004 MEHRAN BALUCH, of Interfaith International, said
protective nationalism was thrust upon nations by history and
circumstances: it was the will of the Baloch Nation, which had been put to
the test as it struggled against the occupation of the Punjab. The sad and frustrating part was that no attempt
whatsoever was made to understand the protective nationalism that was
fermenting in Balochistan and Sindh, and the causes and circumstances that
gave birth to it and the fears that sustained it continued to elude the
grasp of those who sought to crush it. The existing political structure and constitution
was no more acceptable by the minority provinces, in particular by the
Baloch Nation, and it was suggested that a new constitution be framed in
which the aspirations of the minority provinces were accommodated. The Sub-Commission should appoint a Special Rapporteur to carry out a fact-finding mission in Balochistan, and the earlier this were done, the better it would be for the people of Balochistan: it was necessary for the fact-finding mission to reach Balochistan before the near genocide was complete. For link to un site Click Here |
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SUB-COMMISSION CONCLUDES DEBATE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Mehran BALUCH, of Interfaith International, said that if there was an example of the grossest violation of economic, social and cultural rights committed by a State, it would be found in Baluchistan, the south west province of Pakistan, where there was suppression and repression through arbitrary and unilateral enforcement of illegal and unconstitutional decrees. The Baloch land, whose independence had been recognized even by the British rulers of India, was forcibly and illegally occupied and annexed by the ruling elite of Punjabis in Pakistan through the might of their military in 1948. The Punjabi ruling oligarchy in Pakistan had unleashed a reign of terror and brutality on the people of Baluchistan just because they never agreed to the surrender of their independence and dilution of their historical identity. In 1973, the Baloch movement for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights as well as autonomous status for the land was brutally suppressed. For link to un site Click Here |
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| COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS APPROVES THREE RESOLUTIONS ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Commission on Human Rights 59th session22 April 2003 Morning General Debate on Agenda Items of Specific Groups and Individuals; Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights; Promotion and Protection of Human Rights; Effective Functioning of Human Rights Mechanisms; Advisory Services and Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights; and Rationalization of the Work of the Commission Mehran Baluch, of Interfaith International, said the Baloch nation in Pakistan had suffered the worst types of repression as a result of the tyranny of majoritarianism. Their demand for protection of their economic and political rights had been met with heavy military operations including the bombardment of civilian habitations and the ruthless torture and incarceration of political dissenters. The ethnic Punjabi elite was determined to vandalize the rich national resources of Balochistan. The Sui natural gas reserves in Balochistan were being mercilessly exploited for the benefit only of the Punjabis. The Punjabi ruling class also had a special interest in reducing the Baloch majority to a minority in the region. Pakistani democracy – a sham democracy- carried no legitimacy with Pakistan's minorities. For link to un site Click Here |
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| SUB-COMMISSION CONSIDERS ISSUES RELATING TO ADEQUATE HOUSING AS PART OF THE RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF
LIVING Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights 54th session12 August 2002 Morning Discusses Report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations MEHRAN BALUCH, of Interfaith International, said the Pakistani establishment had continuously suppressed, violated, and subdued the Baloch people and looted their motherland while the world turned a blind eye. Balochistan had petroleum, gas, coal and minerals; these were used by Pakistan while the Baloch people got nothing in return. An army operation from 1973 to 1979 had brutally suppressed the Rights Movement of Balochistan, killing over 15,000, and the federal Government recently had ordered a Frontier Corps raid in Dri Bugti to suppress people demanding priorities in jobs at a local energy company; some 200 had been detained and were being tortured in Frontier Corps camps and barracks. Although the Pakistani establishment behaved this way, aid from the international community continued to pour into the country, especially from the United States. The people of Balochistan and Sindh provinces needed support from the United Nations and the international community in their struggle for liberty and freedom. For link to un site Click Here Mr. MEHRAN BALUCH (International Interfaith) declared that Pakistan occupied and exploited the province of Balochistan as if it were about a colony. The population Baloch never profited from the natural resources which its basement conceals, and any claim is repressed by the forces armed with Pakistan, with many victims. The people of Balochistan ask for the abrogation of the Pakistani Constitution of 1973 and the formulation of a new fundamental charter which is respectful aspirations and statute of the provinces. For link to un site Click Here |
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COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS BEGINS REVIEW OF INDIGENOUS ISSUES |
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