CrisisBalochistan | March 18, 2013

A large number of protesters gathered at the Broken Chair in front of the United Nations in Geneva to denounce the alleged human rights violations against the Baloch and Kashmiri people by Pakistan.

The demonstration was held alongside the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Among the participants were Baloch representatives Noordin Mengal and Mehran Baluch, Canada-based writer and political activist Tarek Fatah and Former MEP Paulo Casaca. UKPNP chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri and Nasser Kashmiri were also present on the occasion. A number of members of the United Kashmir People's National Party including women and children also held placards and chanted slogans against the Pakistani government and military's atrocities in Kashmir. The protestors spoke against the military operations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and the recent handing over of Gwadar port to China and against the IPI pipeline.

The participants highlighted the issues of economic exploitation and state support to religious fundamentalism. They appealed to the international community and United Nations to immediately intervene and take strong action against Pakistan for their unending atrocities taking place in Balochistan and Kashmir.