PAANK Highlights Human Rights Violations in Balochistan
The human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, PAANK, has released a report detailing serious human rights abuses by Pakistan’s armed forces in Balochistan during September. The report reveals 41 enforced disappearances, three extrajudicial killings, and 25 incidents of extrajudicial torture.
Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings
The report focuses on enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, noting a disturbing trend under Pakistan’s Fourth Schedule policy. This policy places many political workers, lawyers, doctors, students, and teachers under surveillance, falsely linking them to pro-liberation armed groups.
Protests and Government Crackdown
In Gwadar, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee protested these violations but faced violent suppression by authorities. An agreement to release detained protestors in exchange for halting strikes was not honored, leading to intensified crackdowns on peaceful activists.
Specific Cases of Abuse
The report highlights the case of two brothers, Muhammad Ismail and Muhammad Abbas, who were abducted and found dead with bullet wounds. The highest incidents of enforced disappearances were recorded in Gwadar, Kech, Kharan, and Mastung.
Doubts Revealed
PAANK -: PAANK is the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement. It works to highlight and report on human rights issues in Balochistan, a region in Pakistan.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is known for its rich natural resources and has been a region of conflict due to demands for greater autonomy and rights by the local Baloch people.
Enforced disappearances -: Enforced disappearances refer to situations where people are secretly abducted or imprisoned by the state or political organizations, without any legal process. The victims are often not seen again, and their families are left without information.
Extrajudicial killings -: Extrajudicial killings are killings carried out by government authorities without any legal process or trial. These are illegal and violate human rights.
Fourth Schedule policy -: The Fourth Schedule policy in Pakistan is a law that allows the government to monitor and restrict the movements of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism or anti-state activities, often without solid evidence.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee -: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee is a group that organizes protests and activities to support the rights and demands of the Baloch people. They often protest against human rights violations in Balochistan.
