Geneva Conference Calls for UN Investigation into Human Rights Violations in Balochistan and Sindh
A conference organized by the Baloch Human Rights Council and the World Sindhi Congress in Geneva brought together scholars, human rights activists, journalists, and political leaders. They expressed deep concern over ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan and Sindh by Pakistan.
Participants condemned the widespread enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings targeting Baloch and Sindhi socio-political activists. They called for a UN fact-finding mission to investigate these violations. The conference also criticized the collaboration between China and Pakistan in exploiting the natural resources of Balochistan and Sindh.
Attendees raised alarms about the fencing of Gwadar and a proposed agreement that could enable China to control Gwadar town and its international airport, potentially transforming it into a colonial enclave. They condemned the systematic land encroachment and acquisition by the Pakistani military under the guise of national security.
Moreover, grave concerns were voiced over the forced conversions of minor girls from Sindhi-Hindu families in Sindh. The conference concluded that many actions taken by the Pakistani state in Balochistan and Sindh amount to cultural genocide against the Baloch and Sindhi peoples.
The declaration urged the international community and the United Nations to intervene to protect the rights of the Baloch and Sindhi nations. It demanded an immediate halt to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of socio-political workers and human rights defenders, insisting that all perpetrators of human rights violations be held accountable in the International Court of Justice.
Participants also called for an end to all resource exploitation by China and Pakistan in Balochistan and Sindh. Expressing dismay over the silence of the international community and the United Nations regarding the crimes against humanity and genocide occurring in these regions, the conference demanded the dispatch of a UN fact-finding mission to assess the human rights and humanitarian crises facing the people of Balochistan and Sindh.
It affirmed that the Baloch and Sindhi struggle for self-determination aligns with the principles outlined in UN declarations regarding colonized nations, calling for this struggle to be recognized and acknowledged without delay.
Doubts Revealed
Geneva Conference -: A meeting held in Geneva, a city in Switzerland, where people discuss important issues.
UN -: The United Nations, an international organization that works to keep peace and help countries work together.
Human Rights Violations -: When people’s basic rights and freedoms are not respected or are abused.
Balochistan -: A region in Pakistan where some people feel their rights are not being respected.
Sindh -: Another region in Pakistan facing similar issues as Balochistan.
Baloch Human Rights Council -: A group that works to protect the rights of people in Balochistan.
World Sindhi Congress -: A group that works to protect the rights of people in Sindh.
Enforced Disappearances -: When people are taken away secretly and their families don’t know where they are.
Extrajudicial Killings -: When people are killed without a fair trial or legal process.
Resource Exploitation -: Taking natural resources like minerals or oil from a place without giving fair benefits to the local people.
China -: A large country in Asia that is involved in projects in Pakistan.
International Community -: Countries and organizations around the world working together on global issues.
Accountability -: Making sure people are responsible for their actions and face consequences if they do something wrong.
Forced Conversions -: Making people change their religion against their will.
Land Encroachments -: Taking over land that belongs to someone else without permission.
