The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said in a statement that firing on Baloch labourers by a death squad in Panwan Chil, Jiwani, in Gwadar district, is state terrorism.
It said that on 15 October, the targeting of labourers involved in the oil trade with gunfire by a death squad operating with state backing was an extremely terrifying act. Economic genocide has been going on in Balochistan for years. In Balochistan, the Baloch people’s only means of livelihood was tied to border trade, which was shut down by force. Now this economic genocide is being extended by activating death squads to restrict trade via sea routes as well.
The statement said death squads operating with state backing have for years been subjecting the Baloch people to fear, violence and insecurity. From Gwadar to Koh-e-Suleman, Baloch genocide is being expanded at the hands of such groups in various areas. These groups have been formed under state patronage and used to suppress the Baloch people and paralyse their political and economic life.
According to the spokesperson, after the closure of the borders the Baloch people turned to the sea for their livelihood, and shooting labourers there too amounts to further intensifying the economic exploitation of the Baloch people and state oppression. Taking away Baloch labourers’ means of livelihood and then shooting them is not only a conspiracy to destroy the Baloch people economically but an open Baloch genocide.
The statement added that the Baloch Yakjehti Committee strongly condemns this incident and appeals to international institutions to play a practical role, instead of limiting themselves to statements, against the ongoing state oppression, economic exploitation and serious human rights violations in Balochistan, so that the fundamental rights of the Baloch people are protected and public trust in global human rights institutions is maintained.
