8pm, Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Free

 

The Baloch Voice Foundation is a non-profit and non-governmental organization based in Paris, France, and its mission is to raise issues relating to Baloch people around the globe.

Despite being a resource rich province which produces more than one third of Pakistan's natural gas, Balochistan is today marked by a high rate of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and infant and maternal mortality. A government report revealed in October 2009 that Balochistan is the most backward province in terms of HDI in Pakistan--almost 21 per cent below the national average.

The human rights situation in Balochistan is under reported by the world's media. In the last decade, according to BVF's figures, more than eight thousand of Baloch men, women and children, including students, activists, teachers, and writers, have been victims of enforced disappearances.

Different human rights organization say there are more than 1,100 documented cases of Baloch missing persons and the number increases monthly.The cases are underpinned by admissions by Pakistani officials that Balochi people are currently detained and that release of information regarding the disappeared is contingent on political agreements with Baloch separatist forces. Also characterizing the situation is the deep mistrust of the Pakistani army and judiciary by the Baloch people.

Speakers will include:

Dr. Ali Akbar Mengal, coordinator for South Asia Baloch Voice Foundation

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