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INTERFAITH INTERNATIONAL
c.p. 32, 1246 Corsier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: 0041 22 751 23 45; Fax 0041 22 751 23 48
e-mail: charlesgraves@vtx.ch; web-site: www.interfaithonline.org
Special consultative status with ECOSOC
Sub-Commission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
58th Session
Agenda Item 4: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Intervention by Charles Graves
Mr. Chairman,
The Baluch nation has been facing unabated brutal repression by
Pakistan’s monolithic army. Atrocities perpetrated on the Baluch Nation
have a long history going back to the days when a new State by the name
of Pakistan was created on the basis of religion in 1947. Under the
pretext of Islam the Baluch nation was subjugated, enslaved, repressed,
and oppressed by the Pakistani Punjabi elite in order to serve their
self-interest. The Baluchistan case is certainly one of violation of
economic, social and cultural rights.
The Baluch are traditionally a secular, democratic and progressive
nation with a long history of indigenous culture and a social system
heroically preserved in face of adverse pressures and proudly defended
in adverse times. As opponents to them, the ruling oligarchy in Pakistan
feels threatened and insecure. Nowhere in the history of de-colonized
nations do you hear of rulers bombarding and decimating segments of
their own nationals as has been done by the Pakistan army in Baluchistan
in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and at the present time.
It appears, Mr. Chairman, that the Pakistan army headed by general
Musharraf is bent upon destroying the identity of the Baluch nation by
all means. This is because it is faced with a resistance to its
arbitrary methods of governance, its exploitation of Balochistan’s
resources, and its continual discrimination against the Baluch in all
spheres of life.
The Pakistani army is using the most advanced military tactics to ensure
the suppression and enslavement of the Baluch nation. As an example,
they have proposed building three military cantonments in Baluchistan at
three crucial and strategically-important locations: first in Kohlu, the
oil rich region of the Marri tribal agency. Secondly, in the rich
natural gas region of Sui, which at present is fulfilling 60% of the gas
feul needs of Pakistan? Finally the proposition to build an army
cantonment in Gawader which is of the utmost strategic importance in the
21st century. Gawader is on the straits of Hurmoz, where 60% of the
world’s petroleum passes from the Middle East to the western hemisphere.
Mr. Chairman
The process of changing the demographic complexion of Baluchistan is
high on the agenda of the domineering groups in Pakistan. As the Gawader
port develops on a large scale, the non-Baluch are brought in from
N.W.F.P (North West Frontier Province) and the Punjab provinces as
laborers and workers. Their number is swelling rapidly and if no action
is taken to stop it, sooner or later the Baluch will be reduced to a
status of minority in their own land.
The fundamental basis of the problems noted above, Mr. Chairman, is that
Baluchistan was actually never a willing part of Pakistan but was
assimilated into Pakistan at gunpoint. Baluchistan can be considered an
occupied country.
Mr. Chairman
Pakistan claims to be optima or glory of Islam, but on what basis does
Pakistan take such credit? Its track record shows much to the contrary
-- the Muslim army of Pakistan has killed millions of Bengalis who were
Muslims, raped countless women in Bangladesh who were Muslims, killed
thousand of Mohajirs in Karachi in the 90s who were Muslims, and killed
over 20 thousand Baluch since occupation in 1948 and the Baluch are
Muslims too. Moreover, the Pakistan military is apparently trying to
support and patronize religious extremism in Baluchistan so that jihadi
methods might quell the secular national struggle of the Baluch people.
And the Pakistani army is finding it difficult to keep atrocities
secret. The only amicable solution to the problem, Mr. Chairman, is the
right of the Baluch people to self-determination. Western countries in
general, and in particular the USA and the UK should stop providing
weapons and fighter planes to the Pakistani army until the Baluchistan
issue is resolved.
Mr. Chairman
The army operation which started in Baluchistan on 17th of December 2005
has not ceased but progresses day by day - as recently as last week the
Pakistani army bombed many areas of Kohlu, Kahan, and Dera Bugti killing
several innocent people. Today no Baluch man, woman, child or elderly
feels safe from the Pakistani army or the Pakistan secret intelligence
services (ISI). These can enter any house they wish and pick up anyone
they want; and torture is taking place in Pakistan’s army’s
secretly-located dungeons. Pakistan is violating all international Human
Rights Laws, and we continue to be surprised that the international
community is up to now taking no action against the Pakistani army’s
atrocities in Baluchistan.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
Date 7.9.06 |
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