HRCP demands release of Baloch human rights activists
KARACHI: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Co-Chairperson Iqbal Haider and Vice-Chairperson Sindh Ghazi Salahuddin expressed concern over the arrest of two Baloch leaders and human rights activists Wahab Baloch, Baloch Rights Council President and Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, who had come to the HRCP office in Karachi on May 28, to discuss problems and issues.
“The HRCP is distressed to learn that when they left the HRCP office at about 5:30 p.m., they were arrested by law enforcement agency personnel,” they said in a statement on Thursday.
The HRCP immediately made every effort to know the whereabouts of the two Baloch leaders but in vain. “We found out that Wahab Baloch is still missing,” they said, adding that they are deeply concerned about his enforced disappearance and the condition under which he may be held. The police have admitted that Ghulam Mohammad Baloch of Balochistan National Movement (BNM) was in their custody at the Frere Police Station and an FIR has been registered against him for a provocative speech outside the Karachi Press Club. He was earlier picked on May 3, 2006 for about a year and was released in September 2007.
“The HRCP believes that this amounts to outright harassment and victimization of the Baloch leaders and human rights defenders. There is no lawful reason or justification for arresting them,” they said adding that charges against Ghulam Muhammad Baloch are false.
The HRCP strongly condemns the harassment of the Baloch activists and demands their immediate release.
Source: Daily Times
Date:5/30/2008
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