Human Rights Watch urges US to pressure Pak govt to stop Balochistan violence

Herald Globe (ANI) Thursday 9th February, 2012

The Human Rights Watch has called on the United States to pressure the Pakistan government to curb crimes in Balochistan province, including extra-judicial killings, torture, illegal detention, disappearances and forced displacement.

The report alleged that many government agencies like the ISI, IB, Frontier Corps, police are responsible for human rights violations and called on the government to take action against them, The Daily Times reports.

The report wanted Pakistan to implement effective mechanisms to ensure that no security unit funded or trained by the US is responsible for human rights violations and stressed on the need to have adequate vetting and oversight mechanisms to deter abuses in the future.

The HRW recommended that the US urge the Pakistan government to probe alleged human rights abuses committed by the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other banned groups and make them accountable for these crimes.

The group has also urged the government to take action against those illegally ferrying people out of the country in exchange for large sums of money.

The report further stated that the government should take appropriate disciplinary action against group members who order or participate in attacks on civilians.

The Human Rights Watch also interviewed teachers, government officials, journalists, non-governmental organisations, and school children, who described attacks on Balochistan's educational facilities, teaching personnel, and students as part of a broader political, religious, and cultural division.(ANI)