UNPO Conference in Washington Discusses Balochistan Conflict

The UNPO conference was aimed at discussing the conflict in Balochistan, analyzing its impact on the state of human rights, press freedom and the way forward.

By Malik Siraj Akbar

WASHINGTON DC: The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) organized a one-day conference at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Tuesday to discuss the conflict in Balochistan, analyze its impact on the state of human rights, press freedom and the way forward.

Senator Paul Strauss of Washington D.C. welcomed the conference participants to the U.S. capital and applauded UNPO for organizing the event. He noted that Washington D.C. was also a UNPO member because it still does not still enjoy the status of a full state in the U.S.

Briefing: Human Rights Situation in Sindh, Pakistan

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Washington, D.C – Briefing on human rights situation in Sindh, Pakistan was held in US Congress building under congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and was attended by Congressmen Brad Sherman and Adam Schiff. Issues related to rise of religious extremism, enforced or involuntary disappearances of Sindhi nationalists by Pakistan’s military, intelligence agencies and other agencies, forced conversions to Islam of Hindu women, and Sindh police’s torture policy called “Half Fry – Full Fry” were raised by the speakers.

T. Kumar of Amnesty International, U.S.A, and Hasan Mujtaba; a New York based journalist and human rights defender were keynote speakers in the Congressional Cannon Building attended by Democrat Congressmen Brad Sherman, Adam Schiff and Congresswoman Loretta from California.

Update: Briefing Human Rights Situation in the Province of Sindh

The briefing will include the following speakers:

Hon. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Hon. Congressman Brad Sherman, Hon. Congressman Adam Schiff, Mr. Hasan Mujtaba, Mr. T. Kumar and Mr. Munawar Laghari (Sufi).

Hon. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez:

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 46th Congressional District.

As the second highest ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Rep. Sanchez is a recognized leader on military and national security issues. She currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, where she works to prepare our Armed Forces for a new generation of security challenges. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, making sure our nation is appropriately prepared for any missile or nuclear attacks.