Geneva: national liberation of Baluchistan is the final solution: Mehran Baluch

GENEVA: MEHRAN BALUCH, of Interfaith International, said Baluchistan was a sovereign independent nation that was forcibly occupied in 1948 by neighbouring Pakistan. Since then the occupying power had used every method to enslave the Baluch, and had exploited and plundered Baluchistan’s resources. The level of international deception by the Occupying Power was not only regrettable but extremely shameful. The world had to acknowledge that the Occupying Power had been deceitfully marketing itself and its importance internationally at Baluchistan’s expense. The continued subjugation and oppression by the Baluch by the occupiers for over 63 years had brought even the weakest Baluch to the conclusion that national liberation of Baluchistan was the final solution.Text of Mehran Baluch's speech at UN Human Rights Council 11th Session
Interfaith International Human Rights Council 11th Session Item Agenda: 4, General Debate Intervention: By Mehran Baluch Dated: 8th June 2009Mr. Chairman, Baluchistan was a sovereign independent nation which was forcibly occupied in 1948 by neighboring Pakistan. Since occupation the Baluch have been struggling for their national liberation. Hoverer the occupying power has used every method to enslave the Baluch, exploit and plunder Baluchistan’s resources in order to sustain - “the occupying Nation”. Mr. Chairman, The level of international deception by the occupying power is not only regrettable but extremely shameful. I say this because it presents it-self in the international community as a strategically important and viable nation where as it’s neither without Baluchistan’s landmass and its resources. Mr. Chairman, The occupying power frequently boasts about its strategic position in South Asia. But what strategic importance does Punjab province have? Not much, because they are land locked, over populated and without any significant natural resources. Mr. Chairman, The world has to acknowledge that the occupying power has been deceitfully marketing itself and its importance internationally only on Baluchistan’s expense. Almost the entire cost line of Pakistan is Baluchistan. Resources such as gas, coal, gold and other natural minerals produced in Baluchistan is looted and plundered by Punjabi Pakistan. Almost 50% of Pakistan’s land is Baluchistan. Mr. Chairman. It is interesting to see that occupying power portrays us as anti-Islam to its own people where as it portrays us as Islamic fundamentalists to the west. Mr. Chairman, The continued subjugation and oppression of the Baluch by the occupiers for over 63 years of occupation has brought even the weakest Baluch to the conclusion that national liberation of Baluchistan is the final solution. The occupying Government has enjoyed a free hand in Baluchistan where it has carried out 5 major military operations over 6 decades , killed tens of thousands, abducted and tortured thousands, Yet it remains champion of Islam and advocate of human rights. Mr. Chairman, I was the first person to bring the case of gross human rights violations committed in Baluchistan by the occupying Pakistani Army, ISI and the establishment to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 2001. Pakistan has tried to silence me by registering false criminal cases against me and my family. Pakistan through its notorious ISI has intensified an extensive propaganda campaign against Baluch human rights defenders worldwide. They have gone as far as threatening the Head of NGO that accredits me, presented false Interpol papers to international governments, tried to blackmail the British into extraditing me to Pakistan and as well as requesting the Swiss authorities on a number of occasions to arrest me on the false basis of terrorism. Mr. Chairman, The Pakistani establishment is doing its best to break the will of the Baloch for freedom and human rights but it is unstoppable, therefore it is promoting the policy of divide and rule with the promise of autonomy for the Baluch through its so-called democratic government and its agents, in order to disillusion the Baluch nation and the international community into believing that Pakistan is sincere in resolving the Baluch conflict. The struggle of liberty over oppression is the struggle of memory over forgetting. And we have not forgotten that once we were free. The Human Rights Council on 10 Jun 2009, concluded its general debate on human rights situations that require its attention and its general debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms, under which it heard the President of the Council present reports on his visits to Brazil and Bahrain in April and May this year.In the general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, a series of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) raised a number of issues about violations of human rights in specific countries and regions, and also highlighted thematic violations, including women and women’s rights, violence against women and honour killings, and the right to development and to self determination.The following NGOs took the floor: International Humanist and Ethical Union, Association for World Education, Hawa Society for Women, Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, Colombian Commission of Jurists, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), Permanent Assembly for Human Rights (APDH), North-South XXI, Interfaith International, World Muslim Congress, Centrist Democratic International, Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association (MBOSCUDA), Liberation, Human Rights Council of Australia, Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Baha’i International Community, International Institute for Peace, MINBYUN - Lawyers for a Democratic Society, Pax Romana, International Educational Development, Society Studies Centre, Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Arab Commission for Human Rights, Union de l’action féminine, European Union of Public Relations, Cercle de recherche sur les droits et les devoirs de la personne humaine, Conectas Direitos Humanos, International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies, Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, Amnesty International, Indian Council of Education, Human Rights Council of Australia, in a joint statement with Asian Legal Resource Centre, and Baha’i International Community, International Service for Human Rights, and Arab Commission for Human Rights.Source: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil

conference on Balochistan entitled “Self – DETERMINATION IN BALOCHISTAN – ITS RELATION TO REGIONAL & GLOBAL SECURITY”

Release June 10, 2009: Interfaith International & UNPO with collaboration with Baloch Human Rights Council (UK), World Sindhi Congress and Sindhi Baloch Forum held a conference on Balochistan entitled “Self – DETERMINATION IN BALOCHISTAN – ITS RELATION TO REGIONAL & GLOBAL SECURITY” on 8th June 2009 during the 11th session of the UNHRC in Geneva. The conference was presided over by Dr. Charles Graves of interfaith international. The UNPO representative Ms. Maggie Murphy introduced the Balochistan issue.Tariq Baloch read a statement on behalf of Suleman Daud, the Khan Of Kalat to the conference. The Baloch representative in the UNPO Mr. Noordin Mengal in his presentation gave a graphic detail of atrocities committed by Pakistani state in Balochistan since the occupation of Balochistan by Pakistani forces. He spoke on Gross Human Rights Violation in Balochistan, enforced disappearances, political assassination and target killings, mass arrests, mass Killings and Torture of the Baloch by Pakistani State agencies. He also shed light on Balochistan IDPs, freedom of expression and social and economical discrimination towards the Baloch by the Pakistani state. Pakistan’s fifth army operation in Balochistan is continuing. During the recent military operation 2004-2009 in Balochistan, serious human rights violations have been recorded by various human rights organizations. The Pakistani state is continuously suppressing, violating and subduing the Baloch right of freedom and sovereignty. The ISI and Military Intelligence (MI) agencies are largely responsible for the arrest and disappearances of thousands of Baloch people. Pakistan’s persistent policy to physically eliminate the Baloch political leaders is alarming. Elaborating on the Pakistani atrocities, he said that the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the military resulted in killing of hundreds of Baloch civilians national leaders including Baloch national leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and Nawabzada Balach Marri. The Baloch national leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal was illegally detained in solitary confinement and kept in an iron cage for one and half year. A renowned Baloch intellectual, political analysts and writer Mr. Jan Mohammad Dashti was critically injured in an attempt on his life. He said that women have been reported missing and arbitrarily detained including zarrina marri a 23 year old schoolteacher from Kahan. Due to indiscriminate and continuous air and ground offensive by the Pakistani air force and military more than two hundred thousands of people have been displaced from Dera Bugti and kohlu. Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Baloch chairman of BNM Lala Munir Ahmad Baloch vice-chairman of BNM Sher Mohammad joint secretary of BRP were abducted by the Pakistani secret agencies ISI and MI from their solicitor office after a court hearing on 3rd April 2009. They were blind folded, whisked away and killed by pakistani security forces. Their mutilated and decomposed bodies were found in Peedark near Turbat after six days. He said that the Baloch have never accepted the occupation of their land from day one and have resisted it. He said that it is imperative that the Baloch should exercise the universal right of self determination as envisaged by the UN Charter. He appealed to the UN and the international community to help and support the Baloch for their just struggle for freedom, dignity and sovereignty as an independent secular democratic Balochistan can play a pivotal role in the regional and global security.Ms. Suriya Makhdoom of World Sindhi Congress expressed her solidarity with the Baloch nation and said Sindhis are also oppressed by Pakistani establishment. She highlighted the suffering and injustices of Sindhi nation by the Pakistani establishment.Mr Samad Baloch Secretary General Of Baloch Human rights Council (UK) spoke on Baloch right of self determination and its impact on Regional & Global security. He said that the Baloch struggle for the right of self determination by implication has impacts on regional and global peace. The right of self-determination of peoples is a fundamental principle in international law and emergence of democratic and secular sovereign states in the region as a result of granting the right of self determination to the Baloch and other oppressed nations will be a counter check for the religious fundamentalist states of Pakistan and Iran and will contribute to regional and world security. He added that the Baloch consider the occupation of their land by Pakistan and Iran as illegal. The Baloch have never accepted the annexation of their newly independent state into Pakistan and adopted various forms of resistance to illegal occupation. Since the collapse of the organized resistance against the Iranian occupation in 1928, the Baloch in Iranian held territory have been resisting the occupation through political mobilization and low intensity armed movements. He emphasized that allowing the Baloch to exercise their right of self determination will lead to the achievement of this right by the other subjugated nationalities like Sindhis, Kurds, Azeris, Seraikis and other in Iran and Pakistan. He urged the international community to get involved in the conflict between the Baloch and the occupying states as it is imperative for securing a long lasting peace and security situation in the region that the unjust state boundaries should be readjusted and the divided Baloch should be united. Mr. Nasser Boledai of Balochistan Peoples Party (Iran), Mr. Abdullah Baloch of Balochistan national Movement (Iran) Jamshed Amiri of BUFFR spoke on the brutalities of Iranian Shia state in Balochistan. They gave a detailed account of the recent mass arrests, harassment of Baloch people and the execution of innocent Baloch civilians in Zahidan. They said high level of intimidation, harassment arrests, and torture is ongoing in Balochistan by Iranian state. Peaceful protests have been suppressed, political and religious leaders have been detained unlawfully, freedom of expression and assembly is totally restricted. They exposed the crude brutalities and heinous crimes committed against humanity in Balochistan by shia state of Iran and requested the UN to take notice the naked fascism and brutalities of Tehran against the Baloch civilians and asked the UN and the international community to support the Baloch struggle for sovereignty. Munir Mengal, and a Kashmiri representative also spoke on the occasion.

Wahid Qamber Baloch transferred to Islamabad

Quetta: Baloch activists Wahid Qambar is reported to have been transferred to Islamabad. Mr Qamber was facing different anti terror allegation and his next hearing was fixed for on June 13 2009, a court in Balochistan. Two weeks earlier Balochistan high court has ordered that Mr Qamber be transferred to Turbat where he was initially arrested. However, now the media reports say that he has been transferred to Islamabad instead. So far no reasons have been given that why Mr Qamber was transferred outside Balochistan, it has been reported that Mr. Qamber Baloch has been flown to Islamabad. It is assumed that the government might have submitted an application indicating that Mr Qamber should be tried in Islamabad. Wahid Qambar is the brother of Dr Khalid Qamber who was martyred during a gun battle with Pakistani army on 8th August 2007. Wahid Qamber's legal representative Mr Kachkol Ali showed grave concerned over transferring of his client to Islamabad. He said Wahid Qamber’s life is in extreme dangers after he has been shifted to Islamabad. He said the government intentions are still not good after the killing of three Baloch political leaders in Turbat town. “If anything happened to my client in custody the government will be held responsible for that”, he warned

11 june "Shaheed Hameed Day"

Balochistany namdaren o sheer delen bachek Shaheed Hameed Baloch ky haiy beset o shashme sal roch 11 june 2009 a dark botSHAHEED HAMED BALOCH was born in the village of Kunchiti; district Kech (Turbat), Mukaran. He was a student at the Government Degree Collage Turbat now known as Attah Shad Degree Collage. He was a member of the Baloch Students Organization, and was arrested on 9 December 1979 on the charge of firing at a military officer from the Gulf state of Oman who was recruiting Pakistani mercenary soldiers from the Balochistan province. Even though the Omani officer was not hurt in the alleged incident, Special Military Court No. 4 charged and sentenced the 23 year old Baloch to death for killing another person, in spite of the fact that the military prosecutor was not able to establish the identity of this other person. On June 11, 1981 Shaheed Hameed Baloch was hanged to death in Mach jail. His body was flown in by an army helicopter to his native village Kunchiti, where his body was laid to rest.Before going to the gallows Shaheed Hameed Baloch wrote his last will. Following is abstracted from his will.Testament of FreedomHe who avenges himselfSays farewell to his beautiful wifeHas no longing for power or wealthIt does not worry me a bit if this will and testament of mine reaches the great people of the glorious Balochistan or not. As I write these words, there are armed guards all over the place, keeping a watchful eye on every move I make. I have only eight hours to live. Eight from now I shall be proudly walking to the gallows. I have no feeling of remorse, nor am I bothered by the thought that I should have lived longer rather than be dead soon, because to lead a life without any purpose or to live under the yoke of slavery, is a curse.I am neither the first nor the only one to give his blood for Balochistan; hundreds of Baloch have laid down their lives for the fatherland. In my family alone I shall be the second person to kiss the hangman’s noose. And thus sacrifice my life for the great goal, which I am certain, the younger generations of Baloch shall ultimately achieve. The British executed one of my ancestors, Sheran Dad Karim, in 1902.I would like to tell my friends that such a priceless boon like freedom cannot be won without the supreme sacrifice. I know of no precedent in history where nations have achieved freedom without rendering the supreme sacrifice. The path to freedom and independence is admittedly a difficult one. However, the goal awaiting us is truly magnificent. I feel happy and consoled to think that though independence may elude us from a long time to come – my little daughter Bibi Banadi who is now 3 years old may experience it in her life time – my grandchildren and those of my brother Beebagr’s will surely be blessed with it and that day will be the day when my soul will finally rest in peace and receive true comfort.Can you, by severing the heads from the bodies,Kill living thoughts and ideas?Can you, by wrenching the flowers from the branches,Stop their fragrance from spreading?I am certain that every member of my family will take my execution with calmness and fortitude. I wish my mother were alive today, for, she must have sung this lullaby in my ears when I was a child:If you die a hero’s death,I shall visit your grave,In the best of attire and make up.Instead of mourning and lamentingI shall sing you a song of joy.And shall proudly give birthTo another child exactly like you.I am sure dearest sisters will not weep and go into mourning over my death. I ask my grandmother to recall the lullaby she used to sing for all of us:When my flower-like son becomes a youthHe will arm himself with the best of weapons.He shall make the traitors bite the dust,He shall fight and crush his enemies.The lofty mountains and the vast plains of Balochistan are waiting for those who could embrace them and turn them into castles and battlegrounds.Mountains are the fortresses of the BalochImpregnable heights are their treasure housesFlowing springs quench their thirstTheir children are selected arrowsSharp-edged daggers are their sons-in-lawBaloch fathers are broad-bladed swords.Hameed Baloch.10th June 1981Mach jail

Western Balochistan: Two Baloch hanged, four shot dead by Iranian authorities

Zahedan: Two Baloch men were hanged in central prison of Zahedan on Saturday (06-06-2009). They executed men have been named as Abdul Hameed Regi and Raza Qalandani. Abdul Hameed Regi is thought be the brother of Abdul Malik Regi the leader of Jundullah (now known as people republican army of Iran), however, it has not been confirmed yet whether this Abdul Hameed is the brother of Regi or he is another person with same name. Sources reported that Abdul Hameed is one of the four men who were recently extradited from Pakistan.On the other hand Fars news reported that four men have been killed in a gun battle with Iranian security forces in Zahedan. In the past Iranian security force have shot dead innocent Baloch people but ,later, to justify their brutalities they call such incidents “police encounter”.

Source: Fars news
Related link : http://www.africasia.com/services/new ... 090606121107.ds5f79vj

Balochistan: protest against sentencing of Ms. Karima

Mand: A large number Baloch women and youth have protested against sentencing of vice chairperson of BSO (Azaad) Ms. Karima Baloch. Sources from Mand town in Balochistan reported that the protest rally was led by BNM women wing organiser Ms. Hani Baloch and Ms Shari Baloch. The rally before passing different streets in Soro Bazar finally gathered at Shaheed Diljan chowk. Addressing the public gathering the Baloch women strongly condemn the Pakistani court for sentencing Ms. Karima Baloch and others. They said that Pakistani state was succumbing to the pressure of Baloch women’s political struggle and thus involving Baloch women activists in false cases. Protesters were carrying placards and banners and they chanted slogans against the Pakistani state and its intelligence agencies. They said that Baloch women will continue to struggle for Balochistan liberation alongside with their Baloch Sarmachaar brothers. They said that their struggle cannot be weaken by registering false cases against them, infect such tactics of Pakistani government will further their determination. They said that Ms. Karima Baloch was not alone and every Baloch men and women will not hesitate to protect her. They said Baloch women’s struggle will continue with full zeal and further determination. The Baloch women said that the sacrifices of martyrs of Murghab have given great recognition to Baloch liberation struggle. Every Baloch hates the Pakistani state with the depth of their heart and Baloch nation will not tolerate the occupation at any cost. Baloch struggle for liberation will continue until independent Balochistan re-appears on the world map. On the other hand Maandani youth organisation have protest against the arrest of Mir Pasand Khan and thousands of other missing Baloch person. The rally gathered at Mir Gull Khan Naseer Chowk where the leaders of the rally addressed the public and media. In their speeches they said that the states of Iran and Pakistan are committing atrocities against the people of Balochistan but “we want to tell them that our struggle for independence will continue”. They said Baloch political prisoner should be treated according to Geneva Convention as prisoners of war. The Maandani youth organisation said that Baloch nation should unite under the leadership of Sardar Khair Marri and Brahumdagh Bugti and struggle for independence.

Western Balochistan: serious human right violations reports against the Iranian authorities

Report by Reza Hossein Borr: “25 Baluch have been killed and hundreds of Baluch people have been arrested since Sunday in Zahedan. Dozens of shops that belonged to the Baluch people have been completely destroyed. The security forces are searching a large area of Zahedan house by house. Anybody who wears Baluchi clothe is searched and possibly arrested. There are security forces everywhere”. According to reports from the activists in BHRAA “the Islamic Republic of Iran still continues arresting people and spreads terror, horror and fear in Zahedan, even several days after Zahedan ‘’Imam Ali’’ mosque bomb attack. Some of local reports suggest that more than 100 persons have been arrested.The most recent report obtained by our reporters in Zahedan suggests that the security police forces arrested more than 25 Baluch in Zahedan on Sunday 31 of May 2009 and transferred them to yet an unknown place. These detainees include people a) who were admitted to the ‘’Khatm-ul-ania’’ hospital in Zahedan because they had been beaten by the pro-regime ultra-conservative groups, the relatives to the wounded while were visiting them.Furthermore, the reports suggest that the relatives dare not ask any investigation into what happened to their family members, as they fear for their own safety and destiny”.Henry Newman of www.guardian.co.uk, writes “Iran, embarrassed by the attacks in Zahedan, has been quick to act. Less than 36 hours after the mosque bombing, three rebels were executed following a rushed trial. The judiciary head of Sistan-Baluchistan has been keen to stress that due process was observed but this trial and previous trials of terrorist suspects have been criticised by human rights organisations. In the case of the Zahedan bombing, statements regarding the trial, the plot itself and even the numbers affected are divergent, even contradictory.The bombings highlight ongoing ethno-religious tensions within Iran and across the broader region. Despite the attempts of Iranian officials to deflect attention onto external scapegoats it is clear that there are serious domestic problems: the country's integrity is not yet in real danger but the Islamic regime and Iranian society at large must seek a more equitable accommodation for its diverse population”.Referring to the Baluch activists, political parties and media The London based Baluch analyst Mr Hossein Borr complains that perhaps media and political parties from Eastern Balochistan are not taking the tention in Westersn Balchistan as seriously. He asks “Can anybody explain why the Baluch activists, political parties and media in different parts of the world and specifically in East Balochistan are silent about the mass arrests and killings of Baluch people in the last few days in Western Baluchistan”? He further writes “This is a very defining moment in our history. The Baluch people want to know who is working to achieve the rights of the Baluch people and whole is doing business in politics.Those who are engaged in politics in every corner of Baluchistan or the world, now face a determining choice which will shape the view of the Baluch people on them. The Baluch people now see with their own eyes, who are working for the achievement of Baluch rights and who are in politics to make a name, find a seat in parliament or in government or benefit from it financially in different ways. This is also a determining phase in the direction of Baluch movement. This is a time to make your stand very clear”. He is optimistic that "The Baluch people will succeed in achieving their rights only if all Baluch intellectuals, political activists, political parties, newspapers and Internet media focus their attention on developments that are taking place right now inside Zahedan. These circumstances are effective test to indicate who is really committed to Baluch cause and who is in politics for financial gains".