BHRC Protests in Geneva Against Human Rights Violations in Balochistan
Geneva, Switzerland – The Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) held a demonstration in front of the United Nations building in Geneva to express deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan.
During the demonstration at the Broken Chair monument, activists highlighted the brutalities and atrocities allegedly committed by Pakistan’s security forces in Balochistan. They called for the United Nations to send a peacekeeping force to protect the lives of thousands of Baloch people.
They demanded that those responsible for crimes against humanity be brought to justice at an international court. Samad Baloch, President of the BHRC, stated, “We are here to protest against the brutalities committed by Pakistan in Balochistan. Balochistan is bleeding.”
He added that the region is facing a serious human rights crisis and claimed that Balochistan is occupied and colonized by the Pakistani military, led by “generals who lack political wisdom and knowledge.” Samad Baloch also criticized China for its role, stating, “The Chinese have allied with Pakistan and are equally culpable for the occupation of Balochistan. Pakistan handed over Gwadar to China without the consent of the Baloch people.”
He explained that Baloch individuals need special permission, akin to a visa, to enter the fenced-off city of Gwadar and that residents are barred from fishing in their waters. Samad Baloch alleged that Pakistan’s military, judiciary, parliament, senate, and media are all complicit in the occupation of Balochistan.
“Pakistan is not only a threat to the Baloch people but also to the entire region and the international community. We are here to request that the United Nations intervene in Balochistan. We urge them to send a fact-finding mission and hold the perpetrators accountable in the International Court of Justice,” he said.
Razzak Baloch, a representative of the BHRC in the USA and General Secretary of the Baloch American Congress, echoed concerns and accused the Pakistani Army and the Chinese Communist Party of “looting” resources of Baloch people. “I am here to tell the United Nations and the world that Pakistan is a failed state. The Pakistani Army and the Chinese Communist Party are looting our resources, controlling our land, and killing our people. We want the world to help us drive the Pakistani Army and the Chinese out of our land so we can use our wealth for the benefit of the Baloch people,” he stated.
Razzak emphasized that the natural wealth of Balochistan belongs to its people, not to China or Pakistan’s military establishment. He said, “The British created this country, and it has already failed. The British and the US must take notice of this and support the freedom of Balochistan.”
Qambar Malik Baloch, General Secretary of the BHRC, said, “We have asked the United Nations to intervene in Balochistan, as the human rights situation is appalling. There is no accountability and Pakistani authorities are acting with impunity, violating numerous human rights treaties that Pakistan has signed.”
Doubts Revealed
BHRC -: BHRC stands for Baloch Human Rights Council. It is a group that works to protect the rights of people in Balochistan.
Geneva -: Geneva is a city in Switzerland where many important international organizations, like the United Nations, have their offices.
Human Rights Violations -: Human rights violations are actions that harm people’s basic rights, like the right to live safely and freely.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a region in Pakistan where some people feel their rights are not being respected.
United Nations -: The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that works to keep peace and help countries cooperate.
Activists -: Activists are people who work hard to bring attention to important issues and make changes in society.
UN peacekeeping force -: A UN peacekeeping force is a group of soldiers from different countries who help keep peace in troubled areas.
International justice -: International justice means making sure that people who do bad things in one country can be punished by the laws of many countries.
Atrocities -: Atrocities are very cruel and terrible actions, often done during conflicts or wars.
Pakistan’s security forces -: Pakistan’s security forces are the police and military groups that work to keep order in Pakistan.
Samad Baloch -: Samad Baloch is the President of the Baloch Human Rights Council, who speaks out for the rights of people in Balochistan.
China -: China is a large country in Asia that is involved in many international projects, including some in Balochistan.
Resource exploitation -: Resource exploitation means taking natural resources, like minerals or oil, from an area, often without giving fair benefits to the local people.
Intervene -: To intervene means to get involved in a situation to try to help solve a problem.
Perpetrators -: Perpetrators are people who commit bad actions or crimes.