Balochistan People’s Party

حزب مردم بلوچستان Balochistan People’s Party بلوچستانءِ اُستمانءِ گــَل

Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
General Secretary of the United Nations
European Union Human Rights Commission

Urgent Action

Ref: Extradition of 16 Baloch to Iran

Date: 5 September 2007

Sixteen young Baluch men whose relatives have been shot dead or hanged by the Iranian regime made a desperate attempt to take 20 men hostage in Baluchistan on 19th August 07 to deter the Iranian regime from arbitrary hanging and killing of the Baluch people. The hostage takers transferred their hostages into Pakistan but they were captured by Pakistan police and consequently, all the hostages were released safely.

These Baluch people were not trained terrorists as they were easily captured and arrested. They were not part of an organization and they were not skilled in what they did and that was the reason they were arrested very quickly. There were only motivated by the daily hanging of Baluch people in the public. They wanted to do something to force the Iranian regime to stop the carnage of innocent Baluch people.

After their arrest by Pakistan police, the Iranian government exerted enormous pressure on Pakistan to extradite them to Iran . As you are aware, the Iranian government has been executing and hanging a lot of people in public in recent months. If these young Baluch people are extradited to Iran , there is no way that they can receive a fair trial. As the previous precedents show they would be summarily tried and executed.

Although we accept that these young people have committed a crime by taking innocent people as hostage, but they are entitled to a fair trial and their human rights and if they are returned to Iran their lives will be in danger.

We, Baluch People's Front, as a civil organization, request you to put pressure on Pakistani government to refuse to extradite them to Iran . The Pakistan government may be tempted to exchange them with some convicted criminals in Iran .

The negotiation between Iran and Pakistan is under way for the extradition of these people and urgent action is required to stop Pakistan from handing them over to Iranian authorities.

Baluch People's Front

Reza Hossein Borr

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Subject: Extradition of 16 Baloch from Pakistan to Iran

Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
European Union Human Rights Commission
General Secretary of the United Nations
United Nation’s Commission on Human Rights

6th September 2007

Subject: Extradition of 16 Baloch from Pakistan to Iran

Dears,

We are deeply concerned about the current negotiation on extradition of 16 Baloch from Pakistan to Iran, as Iran is vigorously persistent to pursue their speedy extradition and undoubtedly their summary execution once extradited.

These are deprived Baloch who as a group made a totally desperate attempt to raise awareness among Baloch people and international community at large on relentless and grotesque violation of human rights situation in Balochistan by the Iran’s brutal regime by taking some officials and their companies hostage. Iran’s regime has been executing Baloch at will in a summary execution manner. There is hardly any week without an execution of Baloch by the regime under fabricated charges.

The incident occurred on 19th August 2007 inside Balochistan, and the hostages were taken across the border to Balochistan, Pakistan. As their motive was political, they harmed none of the hostages. Few days later the group was confronted and arrested by frontier corps of Pakistan. It appears that they had no intention of any harm to their hostages since they could have been used to bargain for a safe passage.

Now that they are subject to extradition in accordance to a treaty signed between Iran and Pakistan, the Iranian regime has sent a very high level delegation. Iran is adamant to have these Baloch extradited so that they are put to execution in public in order to establish an environment of terror and intimidation and subjugation in Balochistan.

The treatment of prisoners in Iran is utterly deplorable by any standard. The general view and findings of international human rights organizations on fundamental human rights in Iran is that violation of even basic rights is institutional and extensive by the regime. The concern for the harsh and unfair treatment of Baloch by the regime in Iran was expressed in a public statement on 5th September 2007 by Amnesty International (AI Index: MDE 13/110/2007 News Service No: 171).

Therefore in the event of extradition of Baloch to Iran by Pakistan, they would definitely face harshest torture and execution. Please note that Balochistan National Movement-Iran does not subscribe to their action and our concern is merely on protection of fundamental human rights, in this case sanctity of life.

However we appeal to you to take urgent action and write to Pakistan and ask for immediate halt on their extradition to Iran as Pakistan itself is capable of providing trial for their actions. Please note that Iran is forceful and adamant in its demand for extradition of these Baloch, therefore much more efforts are needed to stop the extradition.

Human rights norms and values exert an obligation to us all to protect life.

We have confidence that every possible action will be made by you to protect life and for this matter to prevent execution of these Baloch by Iran.

Regards,

Balochistan National Movement – Iran
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Baloch leaders to convene World Conference, file case with International Court of Justice

08.09.2007 ; http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2007/09/baloch-leaders-to-convene-world.html

Washington ,09/07/2007

Baloch nationalists under the leadership of Khan of Kalat Mr. Mir Suleiman Daud Khan; are in the final stage to file their case for autonomy of Balochistan in International Court of Justice, Hague. Their team of lawyers will soon file the case, press release said. And a separate fund called "Balochistan Legal Fund"-BLF will be established to meet the legal expenses, according to press release issued by Dr.Wahid Baloch, President of Baloch Society of North America (http://Bso-na.org). Dr.Wahid who returned from London after a four day trip to meet Khan of Kalat and Baloch Diaspora in UK said this in press release.

Soon after British left undivided India, the state of Kalat was independent for few months; later in 1948 acceded to Pakistan under duress. Since then the Baloch people have fought five bloody insurgencies in an effort to secure their rights promised by British government in various treaties and also Pakistani founder Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The current ongoing upraise received a serious blow last year when a senior nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti 79 was assassinated by Pakistani forces , as he took to mountains of Balochistan and wages a guerilla war against Pakistan when his demands for more rights and revenue that comes from Oil and Gas of the province were rejected . Shortly after the assassination of Mr.Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the present Khan of Kalat Mr. Mir Suleiman Daud Khan called an all-Baloch tribal Jirga, a historic even after 136 years. The Jirga concluded to take the case for autonomy (and their treaties) to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Last year Khan of Kalat left Pakistan on this mission and is currently in London mobilizing support for his case.

Mr. Mir Suleiman Daud Khan appealed to Baloch people to take active participation as the case "is not the case of a single person but of an entire nation" . He said “ The Baloch Nation must come forward to participate actively for their own case as this is not the case of a single person but of an entire nation and it must be won with help and support and active participation of all Balochs share holders.”

The funds will be collected from Baloch Diaspora and Friends of Baloch from all over the world, all Baloch people are encouraged to participate and donate, said the press release. The details of the fund and instructions on how and where to donate will announced soon, said Dr.Wahid Baloch.

IntelliBriefs reported few weeks back that Baloch leadership is planning to organize a world conference to unite baloch people. This latest press release of BSO-NA says World Baloch Conference will be held next year in Europe to discuss plans for the uniting all Baloch Diaspora on a single platform . However the press release didn’t mentioned exact location and when.

World Baloch Conference (WBF) will be held next year in Europe to discuss the uniting of all Baloch Diaspora into a single platform. "The time and place will be decided and announced after consulting other Baloch friends from Sweden, Gulf States, Moscow and Canada in order to ensure their participation and contribution" said the press release

Sources say President of BSO-NA Dr.Wahid Baloch will be actively participating in coming months to make the WBC conference success. It is believed that he will be overseeing all activities related to this from fund raising and campaigning along with leaders in UK. He received blessings from King Mr. Mir Suleiman Daud Khan to go ahead, sources told IntelliBriefs . It needs to be seen whether some Baloch leaders who are keeping a distance from Mr. Mir Suleiman Daud Khan will be responding positively to his efforts and also to the conference. This conference will accelerate the pace of Baloch movement at international level and soon pave way for establishment of separate diplomatic network similar to Kurds. Baloch seems to emulate the strategy adopted by Kurds and make a huge presence internationally. In this effort Baloch leadership is encouraging active participation of Baloch Diaspora and seeking their opinion. Analysts say global and regional powers will keep an eye on this significant event as it progress, considering the strategic significance of Balochistan.

Press Release

September 6th, 2007

WASHINGTON DC: September 6th, 2007. The President of Baloch Society of North America (BSO-NA), Dr. Wahid
Baloch returned back to United States from his four-day trip to London. During his visit he met with the Khan of Kalat Mir Suleiman Daud Khan and discussed the update of Balochistan’s case at the ICJ. He also met with many members of the Baloch community of UK to discuss the of organizing of a World Baloch Conference (WBC) to unite all Baloch Diaspora into a single platform in order to carry out the Baloch struggle more effectively on international level.

Following points were discussed in the meeting and
agreed upon

1.        Balochistan’s Case at the ICJ: Khan of Kalat Mir Suleiman Daud Khan updated the
participants about the case at the ICJ and said that the case is ready to be filed at the ICJ by his appointed team of lawyers soon in the near future. He urged everyone to be patient, persistent and supportive. He applauded the idea of establishing a Balochistan legal fund (BLF) in order to finance the case at the ICJ. He said, “ The Baloch Nation must come forward to participate actively for their own case as this is not the case of a single person but of
an entire nation and it must be won with help and support and active participation of all Balochs share
holders”.

2.        Balochistan Legal Fund (BLF): This fund will be established to finance the Balochistan’s case at the ICJ. This fund will pay for the Lawyers fees, the court cost and all other related expenses of the case.
The funds will be collected from Baloch Diaspora and Friends of Baloch from all over the world. All Balochs are encouraged to participate and donate. The details of the fund and how and where to donate will announced
soon. >> BLF

3.        World Baloch Conference (WBF): A world Baloch conference will be held next year in Europe to
discuss the uniting of all Baloch Diaspora into a single platform. The time and place will be decided
and announced after consulting other Baloch friends from Sweden, Gulf States, Moscow and Canada in order to ensure their participation and contribution. Every member of Baloch Diaspora’s is encouraged to
participate, as everyone’s opinion is important.

After the meeting, the traditional Balochi food was served by Mir Ghulam Hussain Baloch at his place. The participants thanked him for his excellent services and outstanding arrangement.

http://www.bso-na.org/London_Trip.html

Dr. Wahid Baloch, President of
Baloch Society Of North America (BSO-NA),
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300
Washington D.C 20036 USA
Tel: (202) 349-1682
Fax: (202) 331-3759
E-Mail: dr_wahid_baloch@bso-na.org
Website: http://www.bso-na.org/

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Hundreds Displaced in Northern Iraq

By YAHYA BARZANJI – Sep 1, 2007 ; The Associated Press

MARDOW, Iraq (AP) — As explosions boomed in the distance, a Kurdish woman stood outside her house and pointed to where shells scorched parts of her father's grapes and plum orchards.

"It was a bad day when some 20 shells hit our village in a single day last week. We were crying as we prayed to God to protect us from the bombs of the Islamic Republic of Iran," said Serwa Ibrahim, one of the few remaining villagers in Mardow, about 25 miles from the Iranian border.

"Despite the shelling, I will stay in my village until the end," Ibrahim, 33, said Thursday.

Iranian troops have been accused of bombing border areas for weeks against suspected positions of the Free Life Party, or PEJAK, a breakaway faction of the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party. Iran says PEJAK — which seeks autonomy for Kurds in Iran — launches attacks inside Iran from bases in Iraq.

Shelling of border areas resumed Saturday after a brief lull, with Iranian shells hitting the Iraqi side of the border and causing some fires. AP Television News showed white smoke billowing from mountainous areas, and Kurdish shepherds carrying carcasses of sheep killed by the shelling.

The Iranian shelling has been criticized by Iraqi officials and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warned it could have negative effects on the crucial relations between Iran and Iraq's Shiite-led government.

Ari Yashir, a PEJAK member, took a reporter in a tour around several deserted villages and claimed the Iranian attacks only serve to harm civilians.

"The bombing is only targeting villages where we have no bases," he said. "After three weeks of Iranian shelling none of our positions was hit and not a single member of our party was wounded."

Most of the people who fled their homes have gathered in an area known as Shewe Hasow, a valley with water springs in the Qandil Mountain area that borders Iran and Turkey. Many of them stay in tents or under covers mostly supplied by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"We are here because the refugees are in need," said ICRC member Patrick Youssef, standing by a truck with canned food and bottled water. "We are helping them with needed stuff because most of them left their homes leaving their things behind."

The Kurdish region's interior minister, Othman Haji Mahmoud, told the Kurdish regional parliament Tuesday that the Iranian shelling led to the displacement of some 450 families in 20 villages, adding that several people were wounded in addition to material damages.

He said the latest wave of shelling began Aug. 14.

In Baghdad, Zebari said Tuesday that the main areas struck are in the northern provinces of Irbil and Sulaimaniyah. Iranian shelling "has been ongoing and unfortunately has become a daily or a routine practice. Recently, we summoned the Iranian ambassador and handed him a note of protest."

"PEJAK sometimes moves in border area, but this does not permit all this continuous, daily and intensive shelling," said Zebari, a Kurd, who noted that Iraq was prepared to hold negotiations with Iran on the disputes over Kurdish rebel groups.

"We hope that these attacks will stop immediately."

To some Kurds in the region, they have been living the war for decades, including widespread atrocities blamed on Saddam Hussein's regime in the 1980s.

"We are the victims of a continuous struggle. My house was destroyed five times and I rebuilt it. Let this be the sixth time," said Abdullah Wasou Ibrahim, who fled to the refugee camp with 10 family members.
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Demonstrations for recognitions of mother tongue in Brussels

September 10,2007 ; http://www.balochistanlibration.org

Ethnic Nationalities Front (Iran) For Self Determination held a demonstration for recognition of mother tongue and educations rights for all ethnic nationalities (Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Balochs, Kurds and Turkmen’s)

The Ethnic Nationalities Front (Iran) For Self Determination gathered in Brussels to remain the world that Iran is a large prison for nearly 50 million innocent non-Persian ethnic nationalities which contrary to all universal human rights deceleration and norms, their human and ethnic rights have been suppressed.
Beginning of school year in Iran, Mehr 1st (September 23) is in fact a continuation of systematic cultural genocide and forced assimilation of all non-Persian ethnic nationalities. Iran remains among the few countries in the world that an ethnic minority keeps ruling the majority.

Participant demanded:
-Recognition of mother tongue and education rights for all ethnic nationalities, Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Balochs, Kurds a and Turkmen’s.
- Stopping all political and non political executions and ending capitol punishment
- Unconditional release of all political prisoners, particularly ethnic nationalities
- Restoring all historical and original geographical names which have been Persianized due to political reasons
- Allowing ethnic nationalities to name their children based on their own choice
- Recognition and defending rights for self determination for all ethnic nationalities living in Iran
- Equal rights between genders
- December 10, Universal Human Rights Day, should also be recognized as the day of freedom for all ethnic nationalities
Demonstrations started 15:30 in front of European Parliament and European Commission.
Arabs, Azeri Turks, Balochs and Turkmen’s have traveled from all over the Europe and northern America. There were about 500 participants.

Demanded by:

- Al-Ahwaz Liberation Organization
- Ahwazi Popular Democratic Front
- Greater Balochistan Liberation Organization
- Independence Party of Kurdistan
- Kurdistan Revolutionary Union
- South Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement, SANAM
- South Azerbaijan Independence Party, GAIP
- South Turkmenistan National Movement – Iran
- The Kurdistan Independent Party - PSK

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Iranian Government response to Baloch unrest 2004-07

September 10, 2007

Intellibriefs generated this chart based on data compiled by Sweden based Radio Balochi FM " A list of Young Baloch Men hanged/killed by Iranian Regime in 2004-2007"