Pashtuns protest at UNHRC over PTM leaders’ crackdown by Pakistan

An anti-Pakistan protest is organized by Pashtun people in front of the United Nations office to raise their concerns over the crackdown on the workers and leaders of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).

The protest was held during the 55th Sessions of the  United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), was organised by PTM Europe and also joined by many Afghan Pashtuns.

“We are organizing a protest and demonstration in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council to denounce the systematic use of torture by Pakistan to stifle our freedom of expression and our right to assembly.” a statement by Fazal Ur Rehman Afridi, a member of PTM Europe. He further added,”During the protest, speakers condemned the torture of PTM leader Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen, the arbitrary detention of Noor Ullah Tareen, who has been languishing in jail for the last four months, and Idris Khattak, who has been in jail for the last few years.”

He also highlighted that these human rights abuses are deeply concerning for human rights advocates and called on the global community, especially the United Nations, to pay attention. The protesters also incited the United Nations to interfere to stop the systematic atrocities against human rights activists, journalists, and and PTM activists of Pashtun ethnic minority, including Gilaman Wazir, Eid ur Rehman Wazir, Zakim Wazir, and Zahid Madakhel.

They urged the international community to pressure Pakistan to release PTM activists and leaders ,including Noor Ullah Tareen and Idrees Khattak.  Qudrat Ali Khel, a PTM activist from Holland, stated that PTM Europe members have gathered to highlight injustices faced by PTM members, including Pashtuns, Balochis, and Sindhis in Pakistan, and to be their voice.

He further highlighted the regular occurrence of enforced disappearances, home raids, unlawful arrests, torture of men, women, and children, and targeted killings in the Pashtun belt and Balochistan. The Pashtuns also expressed solidarity with protest sit-ins at Chaman and Angoor Adda along the controversial Durand Line dividing Pashtuns.