Balochistan: The Key To Regional Security

Balochistan: The Key To Regional Security
2009,06,10

Tuesday, 09 June 2009, On the 8th of June 2009, over 50 people from UN Permanent Missions, various International NGOs and representatives of the Balochi people gathered in the Palais des Nations in Geneva to discuss the role of Baluchistan in the security of the region and the gross human rights violations that have taken place there due to this pivotal role.

The region of Balochistan is not only located in a key strategic position in relation to conflicts in the region, but is also rich in natural resources. Despite, or rather perhaps because of these factors, the Baluchi people have suffered continued marginalization and victimization, locally, domestically and internationally.

This event is designed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the Balochi peope, as well as initiate a dialogue on potential solutions

Ms. Murphy, UNPO Representative, please click here .
Side event of the 11th Session of the Human Rights Council:
Balochistan, Self Determination and its relation to Global and Regional Security.
June 8 2009
M. Murphy, UNPO

I thank Mr. Mengal and Dr Graves from Interfaith International for having collaborated with the UNPO, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization to bring about this very necessary event and we thank you all for being here to take part.

The UNPO is a membership organization that consists of 57 minority groups, indigenous peoples and occupied or unrecognized territories spread across the world. Each are commited to 6 vital principles that include the promotion of democracy, nonviolence and tolerance.

Whilst the objectives of the Masaai in Kenya and the Iraqi Kurds may differ quite substantially, our Members often share the same lack of involvement in the creation and implementation of policies that affect them first and foremost. Also common to each of them is a lack of representation in international forums such as the UN, which is why we are so grateful to be here today.UNPO aims to create opportunities for our Members to engage with international entities. Opportunities such as this meeting today permit and promote dialogue between states who have vital financial, strategic and humanitarian interests in the region and the people who best know the area, and who are equally the people most affected by each and every decision taken. As such, I do not intend to speak for too long. You are here after all to hear the Balochi representatives,not me and I am well aware of that!
That being the case, the rationale for creating dialogue between parties is keenly illustrated in the case of Balochistan and serves as a prime example of why UNPO continues to promote these meetings.

Firstly, there has been a lack of meaningful dialogue on a domestic scale between interstate and state leaders about the desire for greater autonomy and self‐determination. Indeed the violent suppression of any political debate has caused long‐standing, simmering resentment in the region.

This absence of dialogue has been compounded by harsh crackdowns on political dissent and the disappearances of key leaders, a complete lack of media feedom and dire conditions in camps for people displaced as a result of conflicts in the region.
It is unsurprising that mistrust of the state is deep and widespread especially when these violations ofbasic rights accompany the lowest employment, literacy and economic indicators in the whole country ‐ despite the region's natural wealth. Balochistan produces 40% of the country's primary energy1, yet only 5‐6% population have a gas connection themselves.2

1 Carnegie Papers, Jan 2006
2 Foregin policy Centre, UK 2006

Source: http://www.unpo.org/content/view/9687/89/