| Summary: | "Teachers, professors, and school administrators in Pakistan's Balochistan province have found their lives increasingly under threat from three distinct violent conflicts. Militant Baloch nationalist groups seeking separation or autonomy for Balochistan target Punjabis and other minorities. Militant Sunni Muslim groups attack members of the Shia community. And Islamist armed groups have conducted attacks on those who act contrary to their interpretation of Islam. Between January 2008 and July 2010, suspected militant groups targeted and killed at least 22 teachers and other education personnel in Pakistan's western Balochistan province. Although these 'targeted killings' have been directed at individuals from all professions, education establishments, personnel, and students--particularly ethnic Punjabis--have been disproportionately targeted because militants view them as representatives of the Pakistani state, and symbols of perceived Punjabi military oppression of Balochistan. Militants have also attacked, threatened, or bombed schools, damaging property, killing and wounding students, and severely curtailing the education of Balochistan's youth. Fearing for their safety, many teachers have sought transfers out of the province. This report--based on interviews with teachers, students, victims' families and friends, government officials, journalists, and local and international organizations in Balochistan--documents and describes these attacks and their consequences. Killing people who have devoted their lives to teaching undercuts educational opportunities in a province that is already struggling to educate its populace and achieve greater development. 'Their Future is at Stake' calls on armed groups in Balochistan to immediately cease all attacks against education personnel, other civilians, and schools. It also calls on the provincial government of Balochistan to bring attackers to justice and to take measures to prevent attacks and mitigate their impact."--P. [4] of cover.
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