Agenda Item 11: Civil and Political Rights (a) Torture and Detention March - April 2004

Intervention by Mehran Baloch

Mr Chairman,

Violating the Lahore Declaration of 1940 of the All India Muslim league that recommended the future state Pakistan to be a federation, the hitherto independent State of Balochistan was annexed by the dominating Panjabi army of Pakistan.

Centralizing the political and administrative structure of Pakistan, the Punjabi ruling class found ways and means of subjecting the people of Balochistan to blatant denial and violation of their civil and political rights.

Ever since, the people of Balochistan have been waging their struggle for their civil and political rights. In the process, the ruling Punjabi cliques have been unleashing incredible atrocities on, and repression of, the people, labelling them traitors and enemies.

Mr Chairman, there are innumerable cases of incarceration, torture, disappearances and killings of the innocent people of Balochistan in order to stop them unrelenting struggle for the right of self-determination. To cite only one example, Noora Marri, a Baloch was arrested in 2000 and continues to remain in detention without trial. As a result of severe torture, his right arm is paralysed and his left leg has been disabled at the young age of 35. Two weeks ago Hajji Buksh khan aged around 85, Shadi Khan aged 65 and Eaidh Muhammad, a minor of 12 years were picked up and were placed in the police custody on trumped up charges of anti-state activities. Their relatives have not been informed of their whereabouts. Abdur Razzaq Lango and Azim Khan Bangulzai were arrested and killed while in police custody.

In order to strengthen their stranglehold on the people of Balochistan, the Panjabi rulers have been quick in making slogans in their attempt to mislead the people. Surprisingly anything that appeals to the people is immediately attributed to Islam and Pakistan. Thus we have spectacular formulations like Islamic democracy, Islamic martial law, Islamic referendum, Islamic nationalism and even now an Islamic bomb. The ruling civil and military aristocracy has consistently stressed the unity and integrity of the country on the basis of its Islamic character yet refuses to recognise the multi national character of Pakistan.

While Pakistan poses to be championing the cause of the Muslims here, there and everywhere, she meticulously hides the repression unleashed against its own ethnic, linguistic and cultural minorities at home?

Pakistan exploded its Islamic bomb to the territory, not of Punjab, but of Balochistan. The effect of this ethno-centric policy of Punjab has been to imperil the life and ecology of Balochistan through the disastrous effects of radioactive fallout. This has brought about draught, displacements and rising insecurities have come in trail in Balochistan.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to close this intervention with very recent incident that substantiates my assertion.

Abdul Ghaffoor Kansi, the Senior Superintendent of police in Quetta recently resigned in protest against the growing cruelties and unjust actions, use of excessive force and torture of the Baloch and Pushtun under the shadow of the Inspector General of police, Balochistan, Shoeeb suddle. In a press conference, the resigning SSP said,” It is an ill luck of Balochistan that thieves, criminals and liars are made officers and deputed to Balochistan. Innocent people are being arrested and tortured using third degree methods with tacit backing of the federal government.” He said that this IG of Balochistan was the very person involved in the murder of late Mir Murtaza Bhutto and all the extra judicial killings of Mohajirs in Karachi during the 1990s.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.