International Desk :
The Republic of Balochistan has appealed to the European Union (EU) to reconsider its engagement with Pakistan, arguing that human rights concerns and the aspirations of the Baloch people have been overlooked in the latest Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue.
In an open letter addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas following the Eighth Pakistan-European Union Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad on June 1, the group expressed dissatisfaction with the joint communiqué, which reaffirmed commitments to peace, human rights, sovereignty, territorial integrity and a rules-based international order.
The letter claimed that these principles were not being applied to Balochistan and called on the international community to recognize what it described as the independence of Balochistan. It further urged the EU, the United Nations, international media and human rights organisations to conduct independent assessments of the situation in the region.
The group alleged widespread human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on journalists and military operations against civilians. It questioned the EU’s continued partnership with Pakistan while maintaining that respect for human rights remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations.
The letter also criticised Pakistan’s role in regional security matters and opposed the EU’s counterterrorism cooperation with Islamabad. It argued that international stakeholders should re-evaluate Pakistan’s position in regional affairs and pay greater attention to the Baloch perspective.
Calling for an independent international investigation into alleged human rights violations, the group linked the issue to Pakistan’s trade benefits under the EU’s GSP+ framework. It further urged global powers to engage directly with Balochistan on political, economic and security issues.
The appeal concluded with a call for the EU to apply the same standards of human rights, justice and self-determination to Balochistan that it advocates in other international conflicts and disputes.
