Why Has The World Neglected Balochistan?

balochistan-international-human-rights — Speakers addressing International Human Rights Day Seminar, Karachi Press Club. Photo courtesy of Kiyya Baloch.

Noor Maryam, a young Pakistani female human rights activists and co-founder of Pakistan Youth Alliance, says the forced kidnappings in Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province represents the worst type of human rights abuse.

Noor says that the abduction of political workers in this region is a violation of the Pakistani constitution and when the issue is raised that Pakistani security agencies consider Baloch activists traitors, she counters by labeling the security services traitors because they violate the nation’s laws.

On December 10, Mr. Mama Abdul Qadeer Baloch, founder of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), organized a special seminar a seminar in the Karachi Press Club to mark International Human Rights Day. In the last four years, Mr. Baloch has organized seminars, hunger strike camps and press conferences to raise awareness for victims of human rights abuses and Baloch kidnappings.

Speaking outside the Karachi Press Club, VBMP representatives urged international organizations including the United Nations, to conduct an inquiry into the issue of forced kidnappings and human rights abuses in Balochistan.

Those expressing concern for the welfare of the Baloch people included at the occasion included Mr. Mama Abdul Qadeer Baloch, BBC correspondent Mohammd Hanif, renowned TV journalist and analyst Aijaz Jamali, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan council member Asad Butt, Baloch journalist Saeed Sarbazi, and distinguished Baloch human rights activist Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur.

Describing the international human rights day seminar, Noor notes the contradiction that it coincides with mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela while the international community has largely ignored the issue of missing persons in Balochistan.

Participants at International Human Rights Day, Karachi Press Club. Photo courtesy of Kiyya Baloch.

What do you think about how the international community has neglected the plight of the missing persons in Balochistan? Don’t forget to leave a comment and share this article on Facebook and Twitter.

Kiyya Qadir Baloch is a freelance Baloch journalist associated with the Daily Times based in Islamabad. He reports on foreign affairs, Baloch insurgency, militancy and sectarian violence in Balochistan. Read other articles by Kiyya.