UN Urges Pakistan to Address Enforced Disappearances and Improve Conditions for Baloch People
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued a report urging Pakistan to take action against enforced disappearances, particularly those affecting marginalized groups like the Baloch. The committee called for Pakistan to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and allocate funds to prevent such incidents.
The report, released at a meeting in Geneva, emphasized the need for Pakistan to investigate and prosecute cases involving politicians, public officials, human rights activists, and leaders of ethnic and ethnoreligious groups. The committee stressed that those found guilty should face appropriate punishments and that victims and their families should receive remedies, including rehabilitation and compensation.
Additionally, the committee recommended the reform or repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws to align with international human rights standards. It also addressed economic disparities, urging Pakistan to reduce poverty and unemployment among marginalized ethnic groups, including the Baloch. The recommendations included facilitating equal access to employment, supporting small business development, and ensuring thorough consultations with affected communities before granting resource exploitation licenses.
The committee also called for improved housing and living conditions for ethnic minority groups, focusing on infrastructure and access to essential social services like power, clean water, and sanitation. Finally, the committee urged Pakistan to investigate complaints of harassment, intimidation, and excessive use of force by security and law enforcement officials, particularly at checkpoints.
Doubts Revealed
UN -: The UN stands for the United Nations. It is an international organization that works to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.
Enforced Disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are secretly taken away by the government or other groups, and their families do not know where they are or what happened to them.
Baloch People -: The Baloch people are an ethnic group living mainly in the Balochistan region, which spans parts of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. They have their own language and culture.
United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination -: This is a group within the United Nations that works to stop unfair treatment of people based on their race or ethnicity.
Marginalized Groups -: Marginalized groups are communities that are often treated unfairly and have less power or opportunities compared to others.
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance -: This is an agreement between countries to prevent enforced disappearances and to help find and protect people who have been taken away.
Blasphemy Laws -: Blasphemy laws are rules that make it illegal to say or do things that are considered disrespectful to religious beliefs.
Ethnic Minorities -: Ethnic minorities are groups of people who have different cultural, racial, or national characteristics from the majority population in a country.
Social Services -: Social services are programs provided by the government to help people with things like healthcare, education, and housing.
Economic Opportunities -: Economic opportunities are chances for people to get jobs, start businesses, and earn money to improve their lives.
