Baloch protests outside the UN highlight human rights violations by Pak, say Balochistan is not Pakistan.
New York:
As the United Nations General Assembly started, a group of Balochistan activists protested outside its headquarters in New York against Pakistan's human right violations in the region.
They claimed that since 2000, more than 5,000 activists have been tortured and killed and more than 20,000 were missing.
NDTV spoke with Farzana Majeed, an activist whose brother Zakir Majeed, a student leader, has been missing since 2009.
"My brother was abducted by Pakistan intelligence agencies and we still do not have any idea of where he is. I have been asking Pakistan for my brother's whereabouts for the last seven years, but instead of giving me justice, they threatened me," Ms Majeed said.
The woman, who acquired political asylum in December 2015, said her fight was not just for her brother, "but for thousands like him". "I want my answers from the UN," she added.
A Baloch torture survivor who did not want his identity revealed since he faces death threats, said he considers himself one of the lucky ones.
For two months, he said, he was shut in a 6X4 ft cell with 3 other people. They were not allowed to go out for even basic needs.
"I was tortured every night and it continued till we fell unconscious. We stopped eating so we could lose our consciousness earlier. Many of my friends' bodies were brought home with 'Pakistan Zindabad' and 'Gaddar' carved on their chests with cigarette marks," he said.
He said he had been repeatedly asked if he was "an Indian agent".
"I made one trip to India in 2004, they kept asking me if I had links to the Indian government. In their eyes, anyone who is raising his voice for Balochistan's freedom or protesting against human rights abuse is a RAW agent," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to publicly support Baluchistan, but the US said it will support Pakistan on the issue.
On Tuesday, US State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters: "The government policy is that we support the territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Baluchistan".
Aziz Baloch, the organiser for Free Balochistan Movement told NDTV that he believes there is more US support for his cause than is publicly said. "Several senators are being briefed" on this and in the months to come, Baloch leaders intend to "fight their case on international tribunals," he added.
They claimed that since 2000, more than 5,000 activists have been tortured and killed and more than 20,000 were missing.
NDTV spoke with Farzana Majeed, an activist whose brother Zakir Majeed, a student leader, has been missing since 2009.
"My brother was abducted by Pakistan intelligence agencies and we still do not have any idea of where he is. I have been asking Pakistan for my brother's whereabouts for the last seven years, but instead of giving me justice, they threatened me," Ms Majeed said.
The woman, who acquired political asylum in December 2015, said her fight was not just for her brother, "but for thousands like him". "I want my answers from the UN," she added.
A Baloch torture survivor who did not want his identity revealed since he faces death threats, said he considers himself one of the lucky ones.
For two months, he said, he was shut in a 6X4 ft cell with 3 other people. They were not allowed to go out for even basic needs.
"I was tortured every night and it continued till we fell unconscious. We stopped eating so we could lose our consciousness earlier. Many of my friends' bodies were brought home with 'Pakistan Zindabad' and 'Gaddar' carved on their chests with cigarette marks," he said.
He said he had been repeatedly asked if he was "an Indian agent".
"I made one trip to India in 2004, they kept asking me if I had links to the Indian government. In their eyes, anyone who is raising his voice for Balochistan's freedom or protesting against human rights abuse is a RAW agent," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to publicly support Baluchistan, but the US said it will support Pakistan on the issue.
On Tuesday, US State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters: "The government policy is that we support the territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Baluchistan".
Aziz Baloch, the organiser for Free Balochistan Movement told NDTV that he believes there is more US support for his cause than is publicly said. "Several senators are being briefed" on this and in the months to come, Baloch leaders intend to "fight their case on international tribunals," he added.
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