British Parliamentarian John McDonnell has called for an end to human rights abuses in Balochistan by Pakistani security forces and reaffirmed his, and his fellow parliamentarians', determination to stand in support of the Baloch nation.
He emphasized that it is absolutely important to uphold the principle of self-determination in the province as an international human rights foundation stone.
Speaking on Tuesday (local time) at the 7th Global Balochistan Conference in Geneva, organised by the Baloch National Movement (BNM), McDonnell addressed an audience of political leaders, human rights advocates, and scholars.
"Our strategy has been to work with Baloch organisations in the UK to provide members of Parliament with as much information as possible, enabling them to apply pressure on government ministers," McDonnell stated.
He stressed that the purpose is to make the British government aware of the human rights violations in Balochistan, exploitation of its natural resources by the Pakistani government with the help of China, and sheer poverty and misery of the Baloch people.
"From the perspective of the United Kingdom, our approach has been to press the UK government to recognise its responsibilities toward the Baloch people -- both because of Britain's historic involvement and, frankly, its neglect of this issue. I believe the present Labour government has a particular responsibility in this regard," the British Parliamentarian added.
He emphasized that they are proactively making sure that the names of those arrested, detained, or brutally murdered are brought directly to the ministers so that the human reality of abuses committed by Pakistani authorities will not be denied.
"The UK government has tools at its disposal: it provides aid to Pakistan and maintains trade relations. Therefore, the questions we raise in Parliament are straightforward -- what action can be taken, whether through aid conditionality or trade pressure, to protect the human rights of the Baloch people and their right to self-determination?" McDonnell added.
McDonnell further stated that in the wake of the recent cabinet reshuffle and the new Foreign Secretary, attempts will be made to have meetings to make concerted efforts—bilaterally and with partners in Europe—to put more pressure internationally on Pakistan.
In his view, this strategy should encompass the preservation of basic rights in Balochistan, including the right to life, freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right to decide on one's own destiny.
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