PTM Europe Protests Human Rights Abuses in Pakistan at UN Geneva

During a protest organized by PTM Europe at the UN in Geneva, activists highlighted human rights abuses in Pakistan. The demonstration condemned enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the treatment of Pashtun leaders and communities. Calls for international intervention were made to address these issues.

Activists from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Europe demonstrated outside the UN office in Geneva during the 57th Human Rights Council session, spotlighting human rights violations in Pakistan. The protest addressed enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture perpetrated against the Pashtun community.

Protesters condemned the crackdown on PTM leaders, including Manzoor Pashteen and Ali Wazir, with slogans criticizing the Pakistan army. PTM Europe member Fazal ur Rehman Afridi stated, 'Our main purpose is to condemn the atrocities the Pakistani army and state are committing against Pashtuns, Sindhis, Baloch, and Kashmiris.' He called for the lifting of the ban on Pashteen and the release of Wazir.

Highlighting the case of Gilaman Wazir, a Pashto poet and PTM member attacked in Islamabad, Fazal called out the Pakistani government's suppression of dissent. He announced an upcoming Pashtun National Court, or Jirga, aimed at advocating Pashtun rights. Mustafa Pashtun, another activist, urged international intervention, saying, 'We urge you to raise a voice for the rights of Pashtuns. Please help us in the name of humanity.'

Human rights activists accuse the Pakistani government of targeting them through military operations and ethnic stereotyping, often overlooked by local media. With international attention, they seek to bring these issues to light.

(With inputs from agencies.)