Original article at The Baloch Hal | Dec. 8, 2010 | Spare HRCP, At Least

A The Baloch Hal Editorial

The "kidnapping" of Siddiq Eido, a senior journalist and an activist of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and his friend Mohammad Yousaf from Pasni is very disturbing. It simply shows a new depressing dimension of the worsening conflict in Balochistan under which the media and human rights activists are being systematically targeted presumably by forces affiliated with the government.

Siddiq Eido was abducted in a Bollywood movie scene-like style. On his way back from Gwadar to Pasni in a police van, unknown armed people, who the victims family accuses of having links with the state institutions, stopped their vehicle, beat up the policemen and took Mr. Eido with them to an unknown location.

For the first time, the HRCP directly blamed the country's intelligence agencies responsible for the kidnapping of the Baloch reporter and expressed concern over the safety of its activist and his friend. This perturbing development comes weeks after the murder of two journalists in Balochistan, including one from Gwadar District.

Previously, another senior reporter Lala Hameed Hayatan had been whisked away in a similar manner while traveling from Turbat to Gwadar when he was kidnapped. Some days later, he was killed and thrown away beside a river. A piece of paper was inserted into the pocket of the dead journalist stating "Gift of eid for the Balochs". This unfortunate incident added slat to the Baloch injuries as it coincided with the Eid festival when Muslims sacrifice animals.

The HRCP had rightly observed in its October 2009 fact-finding report "Pushed to the wall" that the situation in Balochistan "can only be likened to an active volcano that may erupt anytime with dire consequences. The situation is alarming andworsening by the day."

Now the spymasters have brandished their guns towards journalists and human rights activists in order to dissuade them from reporting human rights related issues from Balochistan by the security forces.

Commenting editorially on the kidnapping of Mr. Eido, Express Tribune said, " The latest case highlights the fact that the tactics used by agencies have not changed. The wave of "˜abductions' that began soon after 9/11 may have slowed down but it has not stopped. It is alarming that these abductions still take place in Balochistan, where nationalist groups say thousands remain missing. This can only add to the anger and angst that runs through the province. Most of those who have "˜disappeared' in the country are Baloch who may, or may not, have links to nationalists."

Dr. Mehdi Hassan, chairman of the HRCP, said in a statement, "Mr Eido had earlier been implicated in a criminal case and had been released on bail. He was returning on Tuesday after attending a hearing of the same case. HRCP has serious concern that Mr Eido may be tortured and that his life is in danger. HRCP has demanded that Mr Eido must be immediately released and the rights of people working as human rights defenders (HRDs) respected without exception."

Local residents of Pasni and Gwadar observed a shutter down strike to protest the kidnapping of a man deeply committed to freedom of the Press and protection of human rights. On the other hand, the family members of Eido have established a strike camp in the coastal town of Pasni demanding his speedy release.

Since the kidnapped activist is also a professional journalist and a member of the Pasni Press Club, the cold response of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) is highly deplorable. These two custodian bodies of journalists' rights did not demonstrate seriousness when Lala Hameed Hayatan was kidnapped. They must collaborate with the HRCP to ensure the timely rescue of the kidnapped reporter and his friend.

While kidnapping of every citizen whether they are activists of opposition parties or members of students' organizations is illegal and undemocratic, such behavior towards journalists and human rights activists is in fact a greater sin. Reporters and rights activists may not have performed the most admirable role in the recovery of the missing persons but they must at least be complimented for constantly raising voice for the rights of those who have been subjected to enforced disapperance.

Its is ironic that when Shahzain Bugti of Jamori Watan Party (JWP) was arrested, even not kidnapped, the whole national media and top leaders wasted no time to scream about it. Former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif instantly called Prime Minister Gilani and Chief Minister Raisani to demand Shahzain's release. On the other hand, such brisk activity has not been seen in the case of the Baloch missing persons and recently slain and kidnapped journalists and human rights activists.This is a classic case of double standards which should be discouraged at all levels.

All political workers, regardless of the charges against them, should be resurfaced, produced before courts and granted the right to defend themselves by opting for lawyers of their choice as enshrined in articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.