UN Urges Pakistan to Act Against Enforced Disappearances and Address Ethnic Inequalities

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has urged Pakistan to investigate enforced disappearances and address widespread ethnic inequalities, particularly in Balochistan. The committee has also called for reforms in blasphemy laws and enhanced economic support for marginalized groups.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued a call to Pakistan to investigate and prosecute enforced disappearances, as reported by The Balochistan Post. The committee emphasized the need for the nation to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and allocate sufficient resources to develop and implement policies to stop these abuses, especially those targeting marginalized ethnic groups like the Baloch.

During a meeting in Geneva on Friday, the UN committee released its findings, urging Islamabad to pursue reports of enforced disappearances involving politicians, public officials, human rights activists, and leaders of ethnic and ethnoreligious communities. The committee insisted that those responsible be held accountable and face appropriate penalties. Furthermore, the UN panel recommended proper remedies for victims and their families, including rehabilitation, restitution, guarantees of non-repetition, cessation, and compensation. The committee also called for reformation or repeal of Pakistan's broad and punitive blasphemy laws.

The committee underscored the importance of these laws being specific and in alignment with global human rights standards. Addressing economic disparities, the committee recommended measures to reduce poverty and unemployment among marginalized ethnicities like the Baloch. These measures include equal employment opportunities, training and support for small businesses, reinvesting revenue from natural resource exploitation into local communities, and conducting thorough consultations with affected communities for their informed consent before granting exploitation licenses.

Additionally, the UN committee demanded improvements in housing and living conditions in ethnic minority zones, with a focus on infrastructure and access to essential services such as electricity, potable water, and sanitation. The committee also urged Pakistan to vigorously investigate all complaints of harassment, intimidation, and excessive force by security and law enforcement officials, particularly at checkpoints.

(With inputs from agencies.)