Feb 26, 2014

Human Rights, Regional Security and Perspectives for Balochistan and Pakistan


4pm - 6 pm 

Monday 10 March 2014  

Palais des Nations, Room XXV, Geneva

In January 2014, mass graves were discovered in the district of Khuzdar, Balochistan, current day Pakistan. Numerous bodies of Baloch individuals were discovered, although most remain unidentified and the families of the disappeared still live in uncertainty about the faith of their beloved ones. The security situation in South Asia is furthermore bound to change, with the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from Afghanistan to be effected by the end of this year, especially now that Hamid Karzai has refused to sign a Bilateral Security Agreement with Washington. 

In an attempt to clarify what geo-political dynamics led to these events, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) together with the United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation and Baluchistan House will be convening an international conference in Geneva on 10 March 2014, during the 110th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, entitled ‘Human Rights, Regional Security and Perspectives for Balochistan and Pakistan Post-2014’.

The conference will give special attention to Balochistan, which is covering parts of Iran, Afghanistan and is currently Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich province. Balochistan’s secular people face enforced disappearances, summary executions, economic exploitation, militarization, political disempowerment, talibanization and nuclear testing.

To address these gross human rights violations and important global and regional security challenges, international experts, academics, Baloch representatives and high-ranking politicians will come together to share their insights and expertise concerning the uncertain future of Balochistan, Pakistan and the wider region.

Speakers Include T. Kumar, International Advocay Director Amnesty USA; Ryszard Czarnecki, Polish MEP; Paulo Casaca, Founder and Executive Director, South Asia Democratic Forum; Russ Hiebert, Canadian MP; Tarek Fatah, author, columnist and broadcaster; Burzine Waghmar; Centre of South Asian Studies, SOAS; and Willem Marx; journalist, author of 'Balochistan at a Crossroads'.

Registration Deadline: Thursday 6 March 2014. Register here.