Human rights organization claims, 'Atrocities by Pakistani officials increased in Balochistan'

Quetta, October 18 (IANS). Human rights organization, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Saturday highlighted the increase in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture by Pakistani authorities in Balochistan. BYC said human rights violations against Baloch civilians intensified as Pakistan tightened its control with force and legal measures. In its report titled “Situation of Human Rights in Balochistan”, the human rights organization describes widespread violations committed by Pakistani authorities between July and August. “Enforced disappearances continue to increase, with 182 people missing, 80 in July and 102 in August. Of these, 38 have been released. One person died in custody and 142 are still missing without trace or trace. The victims include 40 students, 15 minors and one woman,” the report said. According to the findings, the highest number of cases of enforced disappearances were reported in various districts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Kech and Awaran, with Pakistan’s Frontier Corps said to be the main culprit. The report further said: “Extrajudicial killings continued unabated and 29 people were killed during July and August. Most of these cases were targeted killings, custodial killings and executions. The highest number of cases were reported in Kech, Awaran and Khuzdar districts respectively.” The report noted that 59 percent of recorded violations were carried out by Pakistan-backed death squads and 21 percent by armed forces, while minors were also targeted, with two children killed by mortar shells fired at the civilian population. BYC said: “Torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of the victims was recorded as several bodies of Baloch youth were found in a mutilated condition by the roadside. These people were forcibly disappeared and underwent severe torture, which was clearly visible on their bodies. Most of the torture was reported in Kech and Awaran bodies and were also found.” It further said, “Massive punishment has become increasingly widespread in Balochistan. State authorities here target families of political activists and social activists. Violence and law are used to suppress resistance to serious human rights violations. In addition, there have been cases of bombings of civilian populations.” According to BYC, Pakistan’s actions documented in the report violate the provisions of international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the Geneva Conventions – all of which Pakistan is a party to. –IANS KR/