LAHORE, Feb 20: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called upon the government on Friday to immediately set up a high-powered and independent commission to deal with disappearance in Balochistan, release any people in unacknowledged custody of state agencies, and help secure the release of the UNHCR official, John Solecki.

In a statement issued here, the commission said: “The case of the abduction of the UNHCR official, Solecki, and the demand by his kidnappers for the release of a large number of Balochistan people, including many women, continues to assume ever more serious dimensions.”

It has almost been three weeks since Mr Solecki was kidnapped and every passing day increases apprehensions about his safety. At the same time the group that claims to be holding him has issued a list of 867 involuntarily disappeared people, including over 100 women. A separate list of 138 women also has been released and it contains addresses of 76 women and the dates of their ‘arrest’.

The HRCP statement reads that whatever one may think of the authenticity of these lists, it is obvious that the situation created by the claim of disappearance of so many women is far more serious than it had so far been assumed. It is the first time the people, at least outside Balochistan, have learnt about the disappearance of Baloch women. Even if the list is partly correct, it should make all politicians and civil society defenders of the oppressed hang their heads in shame.

In this situation, the government cannot sit with folded hands, says the commission, adding that every effort must be made to assuage the Baloch people’s feeling of outrage. While attempts to secure Mr Solecki’s release through negotiations should continue, the federal government must immediately set up a commission, with Balochistan adequately represented on it, to investigate the cases of all missing people and secure the release of all those who are found in unauthorised detention.

The commission should have the power to summon any state employee and grant appropriate relief. Even before the commission is formed, it is necessary to order all state agencies to immediately disgorge anyone held in their custody or show cause for holding him or her.

This is necessary to serve as proof of government’s earnestness in trying to heal the festering sore the issue has become, said the HRCP.