Balochs protesting at (Image: Getty)
THE number of the so-called “disappeared” has reached alarming levels in the Pakistan province of Balochistan, the UN Human Rights Council has heard.
According to data provided by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHR) some 367 individuals were reported missing in 2022 alone, and 79 were found killed extrajudicially. Disturbingly, 38 bodies of unidentified individuals believed to be among the disappeared were recovered from a hospital in Lahore
Numbers are increasing, with a total of 416 reported last year.
In total more than 50,000 members of the Baloch community have been abducted since 2003, campaigners say, though this is disputed by Pakistan authorities.
Addressing the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council BHRC. spokesman Sami Ullah said: “Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the discovery of mutilated bodies of Baloch human rights defenders and socio-political activists are aspects of human rights violations committed by Pakistan in Balochistan.
“In a planned way, the security agencies are trying to wipe out the cream of the Baloch sn an intervention at the UNHRC session,
Human rights activist Arif Ajakia said: “The military establishment appoints its favourite people to the Balochistan Parliament, especially in government, to violate the fundamental human rights of Baloch people.
“In the name of security, the Pakistan military carries out a massive military operation in the Balochistan region. Pakistan ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights but has miserably failed to fulfil its obligations. In fact, in Balochistan, Pakistan does the opposite of what it promises to the international community.”
Campaigner Sammi Deen Baloc; “We can’t do this alone” (Image: BHRC)
Campaigner Sammi Deen Baloch added: “Raising a voice for rights and justice has been considered a crime in Pakistan, and the person who dares to speak for justice will have to face severe challenges and state atrocities.
“This time, I could have been there to meet you in person, but I was stopped at the airport by state officials of Pakistan, and I was told that my name is on the exit control list, and I was prohibited from travelling.
“I am here today to ask for justice for all Baloch people who are forcefully disappeared. We need the international community to pay attention, to hold Pakistan accountable, and to help bring back our loved ones. We cannot do this alone.”