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Conflict in Balochistan 4
gross human rights violations in the province, including responsibility for the internally displaced people.
a) A high-level investigation, under an independent public prosecutor, must be carried out into the
reports of extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary execution, torture, disappearances and injury
caused due to excessive use of violence. The perpetrators of any offence committed must be
brought to justice. In addition, an internal inquiry should be also held into allegations of excesses
by the security forces.
b) All places of irregular detention must be immediately closed down and the interior ministry
should submit a report on this issue to a parliamentary committee. The committee must have
the authority and mandate to be able to scrutinize this process, so that they can publicly assure
the people that all necessary steps have been taken towards abandoning such abhorrent practices
c) All intelligence agencies of the country should be reined in and made accountable to oversight
bodies as well as to public representatives.
d) It is critical that the superior courts play their appointed role in the protection of citizens. They
must use the legal tools at their disposal to punish abuses perpetrated by the agents of State.
e) The media, and indeed all civil society organizations, must not be denied access to specific
areas of the country nor must information about events taking place be deliberately distorted.
On the contrary, it is the obligation of government to facilitate adequate media coverage of
areas under special circumstances.
f) To enable the many internally displaced people to return home, it is essential not only that a
ceasefire go into place but also that all roads be opened and the Frontier Corps be removed
from pickets in the interior of towns and cities. Compensation to people who have suffered
human, financial or other losses must be granted.
g) The law enforcement agencies must be given training in human rights and humanitarian law.
Their chain of command must be strictly adhered to and rules of engagement made public.
3. There is great mistrust of the government across Balochistan. The credibility of government must be
rebuilt to narrow the immense gap that has developed between citizens and the State in the province. HRCP is
convinced that the writ of the government can only be respected by the people if it is based on principles of
fairness, rule of law and a lack of discrimination.
a) The government of Pakistan, must as a first step, review its agreement with the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and enlarge its scope. In case of doubt, as exists in
Balochistan over loss of life and injury, the government must utilize the services of the ICRC to
regain the confidence of the people.
b) Misguided obsession with State versions of development while children are not able to go to
school because of ongoing confrontation, will undermine development itself. In order to ensure
that children attend school, it is essential to win the confidence of civil society and the public at
large, by reducing the presence of paramilitary forces.
4. There is a growing lack of cohesiveness between the people of all provinces. This is promoted by
the fact that the structures of governance are dependent upon the goodwill of the central government and have
lost the will to retain independence. In order to re-involve the people in the decision-making process, confidence
building measures are urgently required at all levels.
a) The government must provide complete and unimpeded access to human rights organizations to