Delhi conference where Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri was to speak gets postponed

Delhi Study Group has postponed the conference on 'Human Rights in Balochistan' scheduled to be held in New Delhi on December 10. New date and venue of the event will be announced soon, said Vijay Jolly of Delhi Study Group (DSG) that had invited Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri for the event. Marri is a leader of Free Balochistan Movement and lives in exile in London. He was recently named by Pakistan for the attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi.

"The event has been postponed and we will announce the new dates soon. We have invited Hyrbyair Marri and other Baloch leaders so that people can listen to the grievances of Baloch people," Jolly told ANI. When asked about inviting Marri, Jolly said: "We do not consider him as a terrorist. He is a Baloch political activist and we have invited him so that people get to know the real human rights situation in Balochistan."

Marri, who had accepted the invitation for the conference, has already applied for a visa along with other Baloch activists at the High Commission of India in London. However, his visa approval is pending.

Marri told ANI in a written reply: "Yes, I have been invited to attend a conference about 'Human Rights in Balochistan'. I have accepted the invitation and submitted my documents for Indian visa. I believe there is nothing wrong or taboo about visiting India because India is an independent nation and I have no restriction to visit any country. I will visit as many countries as I can to advocate for Balochistan's freedom."

He added: "Pakistan occupied our country and imposed a war on us. We need to inform the world about these crimes. India as one of the democracies and our neighbour should play a leading role to support our struggle and be our voice at national and international forums."

Marri is keen to visit India to expose Pakistan's malicious designs against the Baloch people. "We want political, diplomatic and moral support from all free and democratic nations including India. During my visit I will highlight the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan. The enforced-disappearances, the bombardment of Baloch villages, expelling of local population of Gwadar to appease China. The abduction of Baloch people continue unabated. Their families are protesting in streets of Quetta from past four weeks but Pakistan media do cover their strike," he said.

When asked about Pakistan's opposition to his visit to India, Marri said: "Pakistan will obviously want to conceal its genocidal policies against Baloch people. They have turned Balochistan into their 'secret torture experiment lab' where they abduct, torture, and kill Baloch people in thousands. Victims include women and children as well".

"Pakistan since its separation from India has never had good relations with its neighbours. In fact, Pakistan's first victim was its neighbouring Balochistan as it attacked our sovereign state and occupied it illegally and forcibly. Now Pakistan continues to stir violence by supporting religious extremists in Afghanistan, Balochistan and India," said Maari.