Sep 26, 2016

Balochistan: European Parliament Vice-President Warns Pakistan of Sanctions


                                                 Photo courtesy of News18

On 23 September 2016, the European Parliament Vice President Ryszard Czarnecki warned of economic and political sanctions on Pakistan if it does not stop violating human rights in Balochistan. In the country's largest province, the Pakistani state systematically abducts, ill-treat, torture and kill Baloch dissidents and human rights defenders without any legal repercussion. 

 

The following article was published by CNN-News18

European Parliament vice president Ryszard Czarnecki on Friday [23 September 2016] said the EU may impose sanctions on Pakistan if it doesn't stop human rights violations in Balochistan.

"We have bilateral, economic and political relations with Pakistan and if Pakistan doesn't change their policy in Balochistan , then we will have to change our policy towards Pakistan," Czarnecki told news agency ANI.

Czarnecki, who attended a vigil in support of Baloch freedom fighters, said," There are some very brutal massacres committed in Balochistan by Pakistan. Now it's time for us to act. We cannot accept it."

The European Union leader's statement comes at a time when India is considering political asylum to Baloch freedom fighters exiled by Pakistan.

Urging the 28 members of the EU to act against Pakistan's double standards, Czarnecki said: "Pakistan shows two faces. One face that is an open face towards us and then a brutal face towards Balochistan."