To: "the International Commission on Human Rights (ICOHR) and humanitarian organizations worldwide,

Introduction:

We, the undersigned, respectfully submit this petition to the International Commission on Human Rights (ICOHC) to recognize the Brahui people's right to self-identification and acknowledge their distinct ethnic identity.

Background:

The Brahui people are an indigenous ethnic group native to the Balochistan region, spanning across southwestern Pakistan, southeastern Iran, and southern Afghanistan. With a population of approximately 2.5 million, they possess a unique cultural heritage, language (Brahui), and traditions that date back centuries.

The Brahuis have their own rich history, which lasted for 537 consecutive years from 1410 A.D. to 1958 A.D.

During this period Kalat state alongwith the medieval Brahui Confederacy  were ruled by 37 Brahui rulers. Among them Mir Miro, Mir Qambar, Mir Omar, Mir Bijjar, Mir Hassan, Mir Ahmad I, Mir Samandar Khan, Mir Abdullah Khan, Mir Muhabbat Khan, Mir Naseer Khan Noori I, Mir Mehrab Khan II, Khan Khuda-e-Dad Khan, Mir Azam Jan and Mir Ahmad Yar Khan are well known. The Brahui rule was the only long-lasting government in the Subcontinent ruled by a single Brahui family. The Brahui language, with its distinct Dravidian roots, is spoken by approximately 1.5 million people, primarily in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Reasons for Recognition:

1. _Distinct Cultural Heritage_: The Brahui people possess a unique cultural heritage, their rich legacy of rulers and heart wrenching epic stories and tales of their great brahui warriors and their brave expeditions, their traditional dresses, Brahuis also have a tradition of folk songs and music. Their musical instruments include Rabab (an Afghan stringed instrument plucked with a piece of wood), the Siroz (a stringed instrument played with a bow), and the Punzik (a reed instrument) and Dambura (a three-stringed instrument played with the fingers). Their culture also includes a special dance known as Chaap in which men gather and dance in a circle.

2. _Historical Presence_: The Brahui people have a long-standing presence in the Balochistan region, with historical records dating back to the 13th century. Brahui, some researchers argue that the Brahui are a relict population of Dravidians that perhaps dates the Indus Valley civilization or a time when Dravidian was more widespread

3. _Linguistic Uniqueness_: The Brahui language is a member of the Dravidian language family, which is distinct from the Indo-European languages spoken in the surrounding regions. It is thought and argued that brahui being the oldest language in the region.

4. _Traditional Occupation_: The Brahui people have traditionally been engaged in agriculture, livestock breeding, and trade, with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency and community-based economic systems.

Annexation and Cultural Invasion:

The Brahui people are facing a severe threat to their identity, culture, and traditions due to the annexation attempts by the Baloch. The Baloch have been trying to assimilate the Brahui people into their own culture, suppressing the Brahui language, customs, and traditions.Some of the ways in which the Baloch are trying to annex the Brahui identity and causing them irreparable damage include:

1. _Forced Linguistic Assimilation_: The Baloch are promoting the use of the Balochi language in Brahui-dominated areas, suppressing the use of the Brahui language.

2. _Cultural Suppression_: The Baloch are suppressing Brahui’s cultural practices, such as their traditional dress, music, and folk dances.

3. _Historical Distortion_: The Baloch are distorting Brahui history, claiming that the Brahui people are a subset of the Baloch.

4. _Youth Radicalization_: The Baloch are radicalizing Brahui youth, indoctrinating them with Baloch nationalist ideology and encouraging them to reject their Brahui identity.

5. _Exploitation and Terrorism_:
Furthermore, the Baloch have been exploiting and manipulating Brahui youth, recruiting them into terrorist organizations and involving them in anti-state activities. This has resulted in the loss of numerous young lives, causing irreparable harm to Brahui families and communities.

Differences between Brahui and Baloch:

The Brahui and Baloch are distinct ethnic groups with clear differences in their:

1. _Language_: Brahui language belongs to the Dravidian language family, whereas Balochi language belongs to the Indo-European language family.

2. _Cultural Practices_: Brahui people have unique cultural practices, such as their traditional dress, music, and folk dances, which are distinct from those of the Baloch.

3. _Historical Background_: The Brahui people have a distinct historical background, with their own medieval confederacy, whereas the Baloch have a separate historical narrative.

4. _Geographical Distribution_: The Brahui people are primarily concentrated in the northeastern part of Balochistan, whereas the Baloch are spread across the province.

Human Rights Violations:

The Brahui people have faced numerous human rights violations, including:

1. _Forced Assimilation_: The Brahui people have been subjected to forced assimilation policies, aimed at suppressing their cultural identity and language.

2. _Land Displacement_: The Brahui people have faced land displacement due to infrastructure development projects, mining, and other economic activities.

3. _Cultural Suppression_: The Brahui people's cultural heritage has been neglected and suppressed, with limited recognition and support for their language, traditions, and customs.

International Law Framework:

The recognition of the Brahui people's ethnic identity is grounded in international law, particularly:

1. _United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)_: Article 8(2) states that indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect, and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions.

2. _International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)_: Article 27 recognizes the rights of ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities to enjoy their own culture, practice their own religion

Request:

We respectfully request that the ICOHR:

1. Recognize the Brahui people as a distinct ethnic group with a sovereign independent identity.

2. Acknowledge the historical injustices faced by the Brahui people and provide recommendations for redress.

3. Support the Brahui people's right to self-determination, cultural preservation, and social justice.

 4. Take measures to prevent the annexation of the Brahui identity by the Baloch and protect the Brahui people's cultural heritage.

Conclusion:

The recognition of the Brahui people's ethnic identity is a crucial step towards promoting their human rights, preserving their cultural heritage, and acknowledging their distinct place within the global community.

We urge the ICOHR and HOW to consider this petition and take necessary steps to recognize the Brahui people's sovereign independent ethnic identity.

Chairman ,

Brahui Qomi Ittehad (Pakistan),

Mir Mutee Ur Rehman Mengal,

26th January 2025,