A Critical analysis of Balochistan Liberation Charter in various perspectives

Posted on 2014-03-07 ( 444 reads )

Opinions :  by Shahzoor Baloch As the struggle for freedom reached a new intensity in early fifties, the ANC saw the need for a clear statement on the future of South Africa. During this campaign the ANC and its allies invited the whole South Africa to record their demands so that they could be incorporated in a common document. Likewise, when Baloch struggle for freedom their homeland reached at its peak they also realised the need of a similar charter which could be capable of defining the past, present and future of Independent Balochistan.  Keeping in this view Baloch exile leaders, intellectual and political worker took part in genesis of the charter “Balochistan Liberation Charter". In the first phase they invited the leader of all Baloch political parties and student organisations to give their suggestions so they could be incorporated in the charter. In the second phase they decided to place it before the Baloch nation for their suggestions and recommendations. Thus, on 2nd of March for the first time in history of Balochistan under Pakistani occupation a common Baloch’s recommendation for his future are handed over to him to decide his fate. It will be astonishing for the world that a common, poor and needy Baloch has never been given the opportunity to decide his fate, but his fate has been designed and implemented by Pakistani rulers, Sardars and Nawabs.  Fortunately today for the first time this time-riddled Baloch has been provided with the opportunity to read, recommend and alter his fate. The charter is multi-dimensional in its nature it cover the political, economic, institutional, social, judicial and territorial spheres of independent Balochistan. The most unique thing in this charter which should be discuss in bold letter that is "Animals right" which is not being mentioned and practiced throughout South Asia. In the following para I will try to highlight some of the article of BLC.  BLC glance over Baloch freedom struggle  This is mentioned in the article (13) of BLC that “The ultimate aim of the Baloch liberation struggle is to put the destiny of the Baloch nation in the hands of Baloch people.” This is the struggle for a democratic Balochistan in which there is no rule or supremacy of a group or obsolete Sardar and Nawabs or religious orthodox upon common Baloch people. As it is mentioned in article (9) of BLC, that “The Baloch national struggle for a free and democratic Balochistan is inclusive, it is for all people from all walks of life in Balochistan and outside Balochistan. These include all freedom loving men, women and children, regardless of their political persuasion, ethnic background or ideological and religious belief.” The struggle also endorse the validity and worth-fullness of international Law and universal declaration of human rights, as it is mentioned in the article (12) of BLC that “All forms of struggle for freedom will be within the boundaries of international Law and human rights convention.” Moreover, the would be sovereign state of Balochistan will not consider herself liable to take revenge from Pakistan in its atrocities against the Baloch people but is going to knock the doorstep of International court of justice, United Nations and international Human Right Organisations by formulating a committee to investigate the disappearance, abduction and killing of Baloch activists as it's mentioned in article (22) of BLC that “A committee should be formed under the supervision of the UNO and national and international human rights organization to investigate the fate of all disappeared persons in Balochistan and to bring all perpetrators of such crimes to the ICJ."  The evidence for truthfulness of the secularism in Balochistan The Balochistan Liberation Charter is not merely a document for the future of Balochistan but it also includes such clauses which are being witnessed and observed by Baloch people and international community in contemporary age. The article (4) of BLC says “The Baloch national struggle is a secular movement. It is for the separation of religion from the state and politics.” Likewise article (5) of BLC says about freedom of religion, belief and expression. This practice is already applied in Balochistan with the fact that from hundreds of years there is a belief dominant in Turbat (Kech) district of Balochistan, where there is a religion prevailed and being practiced in the name of "Zikri" who have had their own pilgrimage where they freely practice their own belief and their practitioners and holy places are safe and intact. By National identity Zikri are Baloch and are strong supporter of struggle for freedom of Balochistan. Likewise, Hinduism is quite prominent among Baloch population in areas like Khuzdar, Kalat, Nasirabad, Mekran and Dera Bugti. They have their historical holy places such shrine of “Hinglaj Matha” in Hingol area of Makuran near Gawadar, which is kept intact and safe from thousands of years. Moreover, Sikhism, Shiaism, Christianity and Atheism are freely being practiced in various localities of Balochistan. Reformation of Balochistan via BLC  Today the landlord, sardars and Nawabs have rendered a common Baloch as slave with the aid of Pakistani government and establishment. The Baloch of today is sandwiched between cruelty of Pakistani agencies and sardars. Both of them have rendered Baloch nation poverty and illiteracy by gaining illegitimate ownership of Balochistan’s resources and by building private armies. It is crystal clear in the article (50) of the BLC that “Holding unlicensed arms and any private army will be illegal.” The Sardars and Nawabs should expect to be stripped off their hundreds of convoys of hundreds of vehicles and private militias.  Comparative study of BLC and UN Charter  The Balochistan Liberation Charter categorically endorses UN charter. The article (2), (3), (6) and (7) are on human equality, freedom, right to life which are likewise article (1), (2) and (3) of universal declaration of human rights. Moreover, article (5) of BLC says that freedom of religion, belief and expression are among the most fundamental rights of the citizens of Balochistan, which endorse UN article (18) that says everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. whereas, article (8) of BLC says regarding equality between men and women as one of the core aim of Balochistan democratic movement, which is also rectifying UN article (16) which says men and women of full age are entitled to equal right. Regarding freedom of opinion article (6) of BLC says it recognises and appreciates the fact that human imaginations has no limitation and article (7) further adds that there will be diversity in perception understanding opinion and belief-thus, violation of freedom of thought and expression of the citizens of Balochistan would be contrary to their natural rights and justice. Similarly, UN article (19) says everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression this includes to receive and impart information and idea. Similarly article (21 class b) of UN reveals that everyone has the right to equal access to public service of his country. While article (37) of BLC holds that it is the responsibility of state apparatus to function effectively and dutifully. Civil servants will be appointed on merit basis. While discussing gender equality article (2) of UN says everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom without distinction of any race, colour, sex, language and religion, vice versa, article (38) of BLC says it will endorse the fight against any discrimination on the ground of gender background, belief, age and ethnicity. Furthermore, regarding pressure group article (10) of BLC supports formation of organised unions and associations such as trade unions, student unions, women association etc. This is an endorsement of class (4) of article (23) of UN that says everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for protection of his interest. While discussing necessity of education article (40) of BLC says that the state of Balochistan will make education one of its top priorities and education will be compulsory and free up to age of sixteen. Whereas article 26(1) of UN says that everyone has the right to education should be free at least at teen age. The article (39) of BLC endorse article (25) of UNO that is the right to a standard of living and wellbeing or health. Besides, article (35) of BLC says there is will be no capital punishment in Balochistan which endorses EU and other developed countries that are against the practice of capital punishment.  The most appealing thing in BLC is the article (71) it speaks for right of Animals where it says that in a free and democratic Balochistan the government of Balochistan will ensure that all animals are treated and protected in accordance to international animal rights conventions and treaties. This article is endorsing the Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare (UDAW) which adds that to recognise that animals are sentient, to prevent cruelty and reduce suffering and to promote standards on the welfare of animals.  My recommendations  I am thankful to all Baloch stakeholders that they have involved me and all common Baloch to design our future by choosing our fate through this charter. This is a landmark document in new politics for Baloch in international arena. It shows that now Baloch nation has reached at the peak of maturity where through means of such efforts they can lead their country independent Balochistan on equal footing like western nations.  I as a humble member of Baloch society urge all Baloch men and women and give your suggestion and recommendations for Balochsitan Liberation Charter to make it a perfect road map for the national liberation struggle. We have been provided with an opportunity to make Baloch leaders to give their words to us in written form and we should make full use of it. For me this charter is superb achievement and it must be implemented on immediate basis after independence of Balochistan. http://balochwarna.com/features/articles.122/A-Critical-analysis-of-Balochistan-Liberation-Charter-in-various-perspectives.html