Published Date: Mar 5, 2014
SDPI Press Release (March 5, 2014)
The
protesters, under the guidance of the Voice of Missing Baloch Persons
(VMBP), hope to raise awareness about human rights violations in
Balochistan and demand the recovery of their missing relatives. The long march participants, who left Quetta over four months ago, participated in a seminar jointly organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Insani Huqooq Itehad (IHI) here on Wednesday.
Speaking to audience, Mama Qadeer Baloch, Head, Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) said
that the marchers were disappointed with the actions of government and
courts. Qadeer has been leading the protest of the Voice of Baloch
Missing Persons. While sharing the hurdles of their march, he revealed
that they are being threatened to end their march. However, they have
decided to keep on going this journey.
On this occasion, Farzana Baloch, Marcher, Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) talked about her brother Zakir Majeed, who has been missing since June 2009.
She said that there are many remote areas where people are unable to
report about their missing members. In this regard, she suggested that
civil society should organize a survey about missing persons and media
should expose all such cases.
Salma Jafer, Social Activist said that the
human rights organizations and civil society in Pakistan need to wake
up for protest, to seek justice and to raise voice. Unfortunately 19,500
people are missing and there is no proper action taken by our
government. While speaking about the history of Baloch women, she said
that Baloch females has always been strong, determined and warrior of
the time. Farzana Baloch should be a hero for not only Pakistan but for
international community as well.
Haris Khalique, Human Right Activist demanded a political solution for Balochistan.
The
march also included people from Karachi and Hyderabad in search of
their missing relatives. They have repeatedly called upon the government
and UN agencies for rapid action for recovery of missing persons of
Baluchistan.