As the days mount so concern must grow for the well-being of Mr. Akhtar Mengal, detained president of the Balochistan National Party.  Imprisoned in the wake of a peaceful protest against increased military activity and the arrests of hundreds of activists, the BNP president has been denied the basic rights due to him as a citizen of Pakistan.

The Hague, 6 March 2008 – Since December 2006 the president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) has been languishing in Karachi’s Central Prison, his health conditions repeatedly neglected and both external medical advice and treatment denied. 

Imprisoned after his participation in a peaceful demonstration calling for a reduction in military activity that has accompanied the arrest of activists and a number of ‘disappearances’, Mr. Mengal’s case is not unique.  Over five hundred BNP activists have been arrested over recent months as the Pakistani government aims to limit their right of expression as a minority within the predominantly Punjabi Islamic republic.

Speaking on Mr. Mengal’s case, Senator Baloch of the BNP declared “Pakistan's Constitution guarantees that ‘All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.’ The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination also emphasizes ‘the right to equal treatment before the tribunals and all other organs administering justice’. However, the Baloch have not been treated according to national and international laws. Constitutional guarantees and the courts have failed to protect their fundamental rights.”

UNPO has consequently appealed to Ms. Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, H.E. Mr. Willem Andreae, Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Sibte Yahya Naqvi Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, and Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Chairperson-Rapporteur for The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to:

- Immediately and permanently cease the ongoing persecution of minority communities, including the Baloch community.

- Ensure equal protection under the law to all Pakistan citizens, regardless of their minority status, including providing adequate facilities and basic human rights to prisoners.

- Reaffirm its commitment to human rights and rule of law in accordance with UN conventions and the Pakistan Constitution, in particular with respect to minorities such as the Baloch community.