EU should not remain silent over ‘horrendous’ human rights violations in Pakistan

The increasing evidence of widespread human rights violations highlight the need for the EU to strengthen its role in the troubled region of Baluchistan, says Niccolò Rinaldi

Baluchistan is one of the most troubled and poorest provinces of Pakistan. Bordering with Afghanistan and Iran, Baluchistan is rich in oil, gas, and minerals, but nevertheless its development has been hindered by the turbulence prevailing in the country. This feeling of injustice among the Baloch population has caused decades of long battle between the Baloch separatists and the Pakistani government. The Pakistani army and security forces are accused by the Baluchistan population of not only usurping their wealth, but also violating their fundamental rights. These protests have led to more abuse, persecution and are even inflicted by Pakistani officials.

European Union envoy meets VBMP Long March leaders

ISLAMABAD: A European Union (EU) delegation on Wednesday met with representatives of the Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) Long March leaders, and expressed its concern with the large number of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in different parts of Balochistan.

Capital Talk: Disappointed Mama Qadeer to move world court

ISLAMABAD: Mama Qadeer Baloch, who carried out the 2,800 kilometre long march from Quetta to Islamabad for the recovery of Baloch missing persons, has said that they have contacted the United Nations after being disappointed by the government and the judiciary.

They have consulted officials of the world body in Islamabad and have been assured that the United Nations will soon take up the issue of missing persons with the Government of Pakistan. Mama Qadeer expressed these views in the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, while talking to the host of the show Hamid Mir on Wednesday.