Pakistani Army Plans New Internment Centers in Balochistan, Critics Raise Concerns
The Pakistani Army is reportedly planning to set up internment centers in Balochistan, similar to those previously established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). These centers are compared to the Guantanamo Bay prison complex and ‘black sites’ in Afghanistan. Critics warn that these centers, controlled by non-civilian personnel and denying access to family and legal aid, could formalize enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Concerns Raised by Former Senator
Former senator Farhatullah Babar expressed his concern, stating that these centers will formalize enforced disappearances. He highlighted that these opaque centers run by non-civilians arbitrarily without allowing access to family or legal aid are similar to Guantanamo Bay prisons.
Background on Internment Centers
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such centers were established under the Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Regulation, enacted in 2011 but applied retrospectively from 2008. These regulations gave security forces sweeping powers to arrest and indefinitely detain individuals. However, in 2019, the Peshawar High Court ruled these centers unconstitutional, stating that indefinite detention without trial violates fundamental human rights and due process. Despite this ruling, similar facilities reportedly continue to operate in KP and could now expand into Balochistan.
Human Rights Violations
Internment or ‘torture’ centers have reportedly proliferated inside military cantonments in Balochistan. Baloch rights groups describe these centers as places where people are disappeared, tortured, and interrogated outside of the law. According to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), over 45,000 Baloch men, women, and children have disappeared in such centers. The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) has also highlighted the significant number of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Potential Human Rights Violations
The formal establishment of these internment centers in Balochistan is seen as an attempt to legalize enforced disappearances under the guise of national security and counter-terrorism. Critics argue that these centers could lead to widespread human rights violations, further destabilizing the region. Human rights advocates fear that such internment centers could institutionalize severe human rights violations. However, the Pakistani Army and government have yet to publicly acknowledge these plans or address the concerns raised by human rights advocates.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani Army -: The Pakistani Army is the military force of Pakistan, responsible for defending the country and maintaining internal security.
Internment Centers -: Internment centers are places where people are held without trial, often for security reasons. Critics worry they can be used to detain people unfairly.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is known for its natural resources and has experienced conflict and unrest.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is another province in Pakistan. It has also faced issues with security and conflict.
Enforced Disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are secretly taken away by authorities or groups, and their whereabouts are kept hidden.
Farhatullah Babar -: Farhatullah Babar is a former senator in Pakistan who is known for speaking out on human rights issues.
Human Rights Groups -: Human rights groups are organizations that work to protect people’s basic rights and freedoms, like safety and fair treatment.
2019 Court Ruling -: In 2019, a court in Pakistan decided that internment centers were against the law, meaning they should not be allowed.
