52nd Session UNHRC: Intervention by Ms. Yoana Barakova (Senior Research Analyst EFSAS) on General Debate Item 3
17-03-2023, Geneva
Text and video of Ms. Yoana Barakova's intervention on General Debate Item 3 (Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development) during the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Video of Ms. Yoana Barakova's Intervention on General Debate Item 3 during the 52nd Session of the UNHRC.
"Mr. Vice President,
Today, Pakistan faces a dual insurgency by the main South Asian affiliate of Daesh, ISKP, and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, the TTP. The two groups have executed a series of heinous attacks that have claimed hundreds of civilian lives.
In January 2023 alone, terrorists killed more than 100 people in a mosque in Peshawar in the worst attack in recent years in the country.
The role that the Pakistani military establishment has played in supporting terrorist organizations throughout South Asia has been repeatedly noted by various governments, analysts and human rights organizations, including at this Council.
Pakistan’s military establishment’s use of terrorist groups created an atmosphere of impunity for extremist violence in the region. Now, it seems that the same Army has lost control over the extremism it has sponsored for the past decades against its neighbouring countries.
Time and time again, the international community, including this Council, has failed to hold the Pakistani military establishment accountable for its sponsorship of terrorism.
This international inaction has contributed to the rise of groups such as ISKP and the TTP.
Mr. Vice President,
The Pakistani people are suffering. Faced by multiple humanitarian disasters, a faltering economy, and escalating extremist violence, Pakistanis look to their government for political answers and support. They continue to be ignored.
Weak democratic structures contribute to Pakistani State failure. The international community and this Council must push for strengthening the democratization of the country and put an end to the state capture by the Army.
Thank you.".
