2008-03-04
President of the Baloch National Party (BNP), Akhtar Mengal is being denied medical treatment after being unlawfully imprisoned at a nonviolent demonstration in 2006.
Below is an appeal written by Senator Sanaullah Baloch:
I am writing this appeal on behalf of people of Balochistan to bring in to your kind attention the very urgent matter regarding constant life threats to Balochistan National Party's president Mr. Akthar Mengal, who is unlawfully detained since November 2006 without any fair and free trial.
Mr. Mengal, who has been in the Karachi Central Prison since December 2006, is suffering from a cardiac problem but despite court orders, Sardar Mengal was being denied medical treatment outside the jail.
In prison torture, poisoning and elimination of political dissidents and particularly the ethnic and religious minority people is order of the day in Pakistan.
Fearing for his son's life, veteran Baloch nationalist Sardar Mengal alleged that Hasan Gichki, a close relative of Akhtar Mengal had been killed by the government in the same prison a few years ago. "We cannot rely on the jail's doctor and the authorities are not taking him to a hospital."
Pakistan's Constitution guarantees that "All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law." The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination also emphasizes "the right to equal treatment before the tribunals and all other organs administering justice". However, the Baloch have not been treated according to national and international laws. Constitutional guarantees and the courts have failed to protect their fundamental rights.
Akhtar Mengal along with 500 BNP activists was arrested in Nov 2006, the mass arrests was aimed at stop BNP from peaceful protest against the military operation, widespread arrests of activists and 'disappearance'.
Akhtar Mengal, as a senior leader of a political party, is entitled to all basic rights and facilities. The large number of political activists in Balochistan, who have been detained and denied legal and prison rights, are entitled to just treatment in accordance with UN conventions.
We appeal to the UNPO to press upon the Government of Pakistan to stop its discriminatory approach towards ethnic Baloch population and immediately release all Baloch political prisoners including Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
Yours Sincerely,
Senator Sanaullah Baloch Balochistan National Party
http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=7675 |
