LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed grave concern over the recent targeted sectarian and ethnic violence in Balochistan. It has called for punishing the perpetrators and for addressing the root causes that allow such violence to persist.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission said: “The HRCP has noted with great alarm the rise of apparently sectarian and ethnic killings in Balochistan after a brief hiatus.

It is unfortunate that the authorities have not been able to prevent sectarian and ethnic violence in Balochistan despite repeated demands. At best, the violence has ebbed for a few weeks before returning to claim more lives.

“In the latest bout of targeted attacks, the long suffering Hazara community has been targeted in Quetta. The victims included two brothers who were shot and killed outside the passport office in Quetta on Monday.

This was not the first time that Hazara citizens queuing up at the passport office had been mowed down. The persistent and targeted violence against the Hazaras is among the key reasons why members of this community try and flee the country.

“Equally distressing is the killing in Pasni of three labourers, who were apparently killed because they belonged to Khanewal district in Punjab. HRCP is of the opinion that the elements involved in such killings and in promoting ethnic hatred and divisiveness are doing no service to Balochistan.

“HRCP wishes to remind the authorities of their responsibility to protect the lives of all citizens and to overcome the pervasive lawlessness in Balochistan. We agree with the Balochistan chief minister’s recent assessment that sectarianism is impeding development in the province. However, it would take more than pledges and warnings of stern action to stop those indulging in killings in the name of sectarian and ethnic differences.

“It is time that meaningful action was taken to bring to justice not just the individuals involved in such killings, but also all the elements involved with arming, assisting and facilitating in any way those actually pulling the trigger.

“HRCP also calls upon civil society, and religious and political parties and leaders to play their role in extricating the province from the throes of violence, not least by condemning without reservation all instances of sectarian- and ethnicity-based violence.”

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2015

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