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Appeal
Feb 19, 2009
New York
We, the undersigned, are Americans from different walks of life who believe
in the justness of the Baluch struggle for their right to self-determination.
We are extremely concerned over the fate of all missing people in Balochistan
and by Pakistan's use of force against the Baluch people--for six decades now.
We are
well aware of the extra judicial killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, former
governor and chief minister of Baluchistan, Nawabzada Balach Marri, former
state assembly member and Dr. Khalid Shaheed, a widely respected activist, among
thousands of others during the last six decades. It is tragic that instead of
building schools, infrastructure and healthcare facilities in Baluchistan, Pakistan
builds military cantonments and naval bases. Baluch land and
resources belong to the people of Baluchistan. These colonial policies of Pakistan
must end and we are trying to convince our new government here in Washington
DC to take proactive measures.
We are, at the same time, very concerned that
a new group called the Baloch Liberation United Front has resorted to actions
that we believe run contrary to the long-term interests of the secular people
of Baluchistan. We appeal to the BLUF to
immediately release John Solecki, 49, chief of the United Nations Human Rights
Commission. The threat to kill a civilian who has been serving Baluch
in distress in your homeland is not a part
of the time-honored traditions of the proud Baluch people. We understand you
have been pushed to the wall by pervasive and gross human rights violations in
Baluchistan, but we ask of you that you do not harm
Mr. John Solecki. Please release him without conditions. As an
employee of the United Nations, Mr. Solecki has nothing to do with the powers-that-be
in Pakistan. We are appleaing to you as well-wishers
of Baluchistan. Please free Mr John Solecki now.
Wendy Johnson, publisher, www.thebaluch.com
Annie Nocenti, writer
Laurie Deamer, Presiding council member,
American Friends of Baluchistan, Baloch Human Rights
Council
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