UN urged for 'urgent & direct intervention' over rights abuses in Pakistan's Balochistan

A Baloch rights group has called for United Nations "urgent and direct intervention" in protecting Baloch people suffering from human rights violations in southwestern province of Pakistan. A representative of Baloch Human Rights Council alleged that Balochis in Pakistan were being dehumanised by aggressive exploitation of ir resources. dressing 51st session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Kamal Khan, Information Secretary of Baloch Human Rights Council said that Balochs were not getting access to education, health and or social amenities. 

"We request council's urgent and direct intervention to save Baloch people suffering from human rights violations resulting in extreme poverty," ANI quoted Kamal Khan as saying.

In his dress, Khan accused Pakistan of exploiting natural resources of Balochistan which he stressed has caused extreme poverty among Baloch people. He stressed that only 2% of people in Balochistan have access to running water and only 40% of people in Balochistan have a sewerage system in region. He even accused China of exploiting natural resources of Balochistan. Highlighting conditions of people in Balochistan, Kamal Khan pointed out that region despite being rich in natural resources continues to be most impoverished region with highest unemployment rate in Pakistan. According to him, 70% of people in Balochistan live below poverty line and many children in region face severe malnutrition. 

"Despite being rich in natural resources, Balochistan remains most impoverished region with highest unemployment rate in Pakistan. 70 per cent of population in Balochistan live below poverty line. As a result of systematic economic deprivation, many children suffer from severe malnutrition. infant mortality rate in Balochistan is one of highest in world," Kamal Khan said. 

Baloch Human Rights Council holds protest against Pakistan

Earlier this week, Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) held a protest against Pakistan outside UN office in Geneva. activists of BHRC held protest during ongoing 51st session of Human Rights Council. protesters handed over a memorandum to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights requesting to send a fact-finding mission to Balochistan to probe crimes committed by Pakistani forces and or secret agencies. protesters called for an investigation of extrajudicial killings and "kill and dump policy" in Balochistan. Sam Baloch, Secretary General, Baloch Human Rights Council, said that y have gared to protest against "barbarism and brutalities" conducted by Pakistan. 

"Pakistan has me Balochistan a hell for Baloch people. y deliberately deprived basic and fundamental rights of Baloch people and we are here to raise voices of Baloch people and ir grievances. We want international community to intervene," Sam Baloch ded.

With ANI inputs

Image: ANI/AP