Lahore [Pakistan], April 30 : Olivier de Frouville, Chairman of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, voiced his apprehensions regarding the escalating number of enforced disappearances in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.
Addressing the Asma Jahangir Conference (AJC) in Lahore, the fifth edition of which centred around the theme 'People's Mandate: Safeguarding Civil Rights in South Asia', Frouville's remarks came amidst discussions on human rights violations.
The conference saw the participation of several judges, human rights activists, government officials from Pakistan, and notable figures from Sri Lanka, Denmark, the Middle East, Europe, Great Britain, the United Nations, and Norway.
Frouville, who is also director of the Paris Human Rights Center, shared a poignant anecdote of interacting with the mother of an enforced disappearance victim during the AJC.
He underscored the enduring plight faced by the Baloch community in Pakistan for over two decades.
During his address, Frouville posed a thought-provoking question to the audience, "What would you do if a loved one disappeared?" He urged the public to empathise with those who have experienced such anguish, highlighting the urgent need for collective action.
Frouville had previously visited Pakistan on a UN mission in September 2012, along with Osman El-Hajje, a member of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, meeting with relatives of disappeared persons across the country.
Enforced disappearances have remained a pressing issue for the Baloch community, with numerous cases of alleged abductions of Baloch individuals attributed to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Instances of enforced disappearances continue to surface monthly. Most recently, the disappearance of Jameel Umar, a prominent social leader from Balochistan, drew widespread attention.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) issued a statement expressing deep concern over reports of Umar's disappearance.
According to the HRCP statement, "Jameel Umar was travelling to Turbat when unknown assailants opened fire on his car and forcibly abducted him. We urge for his immediate recovery and the apprehension of the perpetrators."
Internationally, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB), a non-profit organization operating in Balochistan, Sweden, and France, released a statement detailing the abduction of Jameel Umar, Deputy Convener of the Turbat Civil Society and a prominent social activist.
The incident reportedly occurred as Umar was travelling from Kolwah near Balur to Turbat, accompanied by his friend, Sana Baloch. Armed assailants on a motorcycle allegedly attacked their vehicle, leading to their abduction.
Earlier, prominent Baloch leader Mahrang Baloch had raised similar concerns, condemning the Pakistani administration for enforced disappearances and the oppression of women amid the Balochistan struggle.
Mahrang Baloch highlighted the plight of Baloch women who endure brutality, including rape and sexual violence, amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
She lamented the lack of attention from feminists and social activists towards the suffering of Baloch women, urging for solidarity and support.