February 11, 2013: Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) press release

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The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is convening an international conference at The Royal Society, London on Sunday 24 February

Title: Global and Regional Security Challenges in South Asia: What Future for Balochistan?

When: 10am-2pm, Sunday 24 February 2013

Where: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London

This conference comes as Hamid Karzai, Asif Ali Zardari and David Cameron urge the Taliban to join the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, Malala Yousafzai vows to continue her campaign and mass funerals are held on a daily basis in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In light of the increasingly alarming situation in the region, the conference aims to provide a better understanding of the geopolitical complexities that shape the lives of the people of South Asia.

The region of Balochistan, which is Pakistan's largest province, but also covers parts of Afghanistan and Iran, will be given special attention at the conference. The recent bombings in Quetta only highlighted some of the complex aspects the region is characterized by. The secular Baloch people are suffering from severe pressure, as well as neglect, from Islamabad, with enforced disappearances, summary executions, economic exploitation, militarization, political disempowerment, talibanization and nuclear testing disrupting society and suppressing any Baloch claims for self-determination.

To address these important global and regional security challenges, international experts, community representatives, academics and high-ranking politicians will come together to share their insights and expertise concerning the future of Balochistan and South Asia.

More information is available from www.unpo.org/article/15484. To attend, please send full name, nationality and organisation to m.apaza@unpo.org or call +32 251 314 59

For media queries please contact:
Maud Vanwalleghem | +32 251 314 59 | mv@unpo.org