UNPO Publishes New Report on Human Rights Situation in Pakistan
UNPO announces the release of a new report ‘Breaking the Silence: Gilgit Baltistan and the Human Rights Cost of CPEC’, which focuses on the plight of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan under the ongoing occupation of Pakistan. Discussing the issue within the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the report highlights the strategic location of Gilgit-Baltistan as an entry point into Pakistan, as well as Islamabad’s lack of consultation and complete disregard for the local indigenous population.
Additionally, information received by UNPO through members and NGO’s detail the ongoing commonplace practice of torture, enforced disappearance and denial of freedom of speech and belief taking place within Pakistan at the hands of the state authorities and agents.
Furthermore, the shifting alignment of US-Pakistan relations is explored, especially given the Trump administration’s recent decision to cut strategic aid to Pakistan unless it takes decisive action against the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network. Particularly, how will this pan out in regards to Pakistan’s increasing dependency on Chinese investment into CPEC - and thus China’s influence in the region.
Regarding CPEC, the report looks into the military’s increased involvement in the implementation process; how the project is affecting the Baloch, Sindh and the people of Gilgit Baltistan; and the high economic cost and increased debt Pakistan is finding itself in as a result of the project.
This report aims at raising awareness of the dire human rights situation ethnic minorities and indigenous people find themselves in within Pakistan, as well as of the complexities regarding the human rights dimension of the implementation of CPEC and its affiliated projects within Pakistan.
To read the report, please click here.
