www.sacw.net > Citizens Action & Ideas for Peace in South Asia |  August 31, 2006

The death of Nawab Akbar Bugti and continuing operation by the army and or paramilitary forces in Baluchistan

DECLARATION PASSED BY JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE (JAC)
Karachi, 30th August 2006
 
 
A meeting of the concerned citizens and members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) was held yesterday, the 29th August, 2006 to consider the most disastrous and alarming conditions in Baluchistan. The meeting was held in HRCP Office and was presided over by its Secretary General Mr. Iqbal Haider, the following Declaration was passed and is being released to the press.
 
We note with grave concern:
 
-- The continuing operation by the army and or paramilitary forces in Baluchistan, particularly after the shocking tragic event of August 26, 2006 resulting in the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti and his companions has pushed the political situation of the country towards 1971 warlike conditions of alienation and civil strife. The military operation in 1971 had resulted in dismemberment of the country and consequences of the present operation in Baluchistan, we apprehend may be equally disastrous, if it is not withdrawn forthwith.
 
-- The use of disproportionate and indiscriminate force, reportedly deployment of air strikes and highly sophisticated unconventional weapons by the Law Enforcement Agencies in Baluchistan against its own compatriots.
 
We strongly condemn:
 
-- The targeted killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti and his companions in the military operations in Balochistan.
 
-- The ongoing military operation in Balochistan.
 
-- The grave violation of human rights in Balochistan and of Baloch people and their relations and colleagues and supporters in Sindh or elsewhere in Pakistan in particular the abduction and disappearance of the Baloch and Sindhi nationalist, their victimization, torture, illegal detentions, arrests and harassment.
 
 
 
We urgently demand:
 
-- The hand-over of the remains of Nawab Akbar Bugti and his companions and other persons who lost their lives in the military operation of 26 August to their rightful heirs.
 
-- The respect of long-standing traditions of our people regarding the last rites of individuals regardless of previous enmity.
 
-- The conduct of investigations by an Independent Commission comprising impartial respected citizens from the civil society, into the causes as well as the facts and circumstances of the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti and his companions.
 
-- Immediate access to the areas of the military operations in particular the spot of murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti and his companions to independent civilians including members of human rights organizations, lawyers, journalists, teachers, professors and engineers etc.
 
We also demand:
 
-- The immediate cessation of the ongoing military operations in Balochistan.
 
-- The immediate ending of police operations, harassment, victimization, arrests and detentions of the Baloch communities and their supporters in other provinces.
 
-- The release of all arrested, detained and “disappeared” citizens, forthwith unconditionally.
 
-- Maximum autonomy in letter & spirit must be guaranteed for all the federating units, forthwith.
 
We call for:
 
-- The resolution of all outstanding issues, causes and disputes concerning Balochistan and its resources through political negotiations and transparent dialogues peacefully.
 
-- All the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee headed by Ch. Shujaat Hussain must me made public and implemented forthwith in letter & spirit.
 
 
List of the participants in the meeting:
 
1.                 Aahung
2.                 Action Aid
3.                 All Pakistan Trade Union Federation
4.                 Amnesty International
5.                 Aurat Foundation
6.                 Caritas, Pakistan
7.                 Communist Party of Pakistan
8.                 Federal Urdu University, Karachi
9.                 Fishermen Unity
10.             Forum for Democracy
11.             Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
12.             Irtiqa
13.             Karachi Bar Association
14.             Karachi University, Karachi
15.             Labour Education Foundation
16.             Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy
17.             Pakistan Institute for Labor Education and Research (PILER)
18.             Pakistan Muslim League, N (PMLN)
19.             Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP)
20.             Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign
21.             Pakistan Trade Union Federation
22.             Pakistan Women Lawyers Association
23.             People’s Labour Bureau
24.             Progressive Youth Front
25.             Roots for Equity
26.             Shirkat Gah
27.             Takhleeq Foundation
28.             Urban Resource Center
29.             War Against Rape (WAR)
30.             Women’s Action Forum

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