90 mutilated bodies found in Balochistan in 2017: HRCP

Spokesperson says 545 people extra-judicially killed, 350 cases of violence against women reported

QUETTA: At least 90 mutilated bodies were found while 545 people were extra-judicially killed in Balochistan in 2017, HRCP spokesperson says.
A delegation of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the human rights abuses in Balochisan during a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Sunday, a day after the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) registered its concerns over the grave issue.



HRCP spokesman IA Rehman was flanked by Advocate Zahoor Shahwani, Mona Baig and others.
Addressing the press conference, HRCP spokesperson said, “At least 350 cases of violence against women were reported across the province but the figure could be higher as in remote areas of Balochistan people and suppressed women refuse to lodge FIRs against culprits under tribal pressure.
“Fortunately the provincial government has introduced a new legislation and approved new laws for the protection of women in Balochistan which have provided more safety for them.”



The HCRP spokesperson said that they were more concerned about torture of children in workplaces and sexual abuses against them and lamented the provincial government for not taking serious steps in introducing a child protection bill.
On the coal mine incidents in Balochistan in which dozens of people were killed, the HRCP demanded safety precautions for the miners.
Rehman highlighted that the rights of labourers were being violated in coal fields and Gadani Ship Breaking Yard.
The HRCP urged the provincial government to take positive steps in order to discourage religious and sectarian violence in the province as in 2017 alone many such cases had been reported.