QUETTA: A memorial reference was held at the Quetta Press Club to pay tribute to the late human rights activist Mama Qadeer Baloch, organized by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP). The event was attended by members of political parties, student organizations, human rights activists, and relatives of disappeared persons.
The reference was chaired by VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch. Speakers included prominent figures such as Nawabzada Haji Mir Lashkari Khan Raisani, Advocate Agha Hasan Baloch of the Balochistan National Party, Dr. Ishaq, Vice President of the National Party, Lala Wahab Baloch, Deputy Organizer of Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Suleman Bazai, Provincial Deputy Secretary of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party , Mazmal Shah, Secretary General of National Democratic Movement; Zubair Agha, leader of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement; Mohabbat Kaka, Provincial General Secretary of Awami National Party, Babul Malik Baloch, Central Vice Chairman of BSO Pajar, Kabir Baloch, Zonal President of BSO, Zamin Chahangi, Hazara Workers Forum, Sultana Baloch, member of Baloch Women Forum; Advocate Fatima Khaliji, President of Women Democratic Front Balochistan, Karim Prar, leader of Revolutionary Communist Party, Athar Khan Hazara, among others.
Relatives of disappeared persons also attended, including the families of Mitha Khan Mari, Nematullah Baloch, Saeed Ahmed Shahwani, Mahmood Ali, Fareed Ahmed, and others, who shared their grief and experiences.
During the event, speakers expressed deep concern over serious human rights violations in Balochistan, describing the province as facing a severe humanitarian crisis. They criticized the failure of the state, its laws, and international organizations in safeguarding the rights of the Baloch people. The speakers also paid tribute to Mama Qadeer Baloch’s decades-long activism, highlighting his hunger strike camp spanning over 15,000 days, long march from Quetta to Islamabad, and advocacy for Baloch rights on global platforms.
The reference concluded with a unanimously adopted resolution, which included demands for:
- The safe return of all forcibly disappeared persons and access to legal redress.
- Immediate release of the innocent.
- An end to the enforced disappearance of Baloch women.
- Cessation of extrajudicial killings of disappeared Baloch individuals.
- Provision of information to families of those who are deceased.
- Comprehensive measures to prevent enforced disappearances, including implementation of national laws.
- Accountability for state institutions involved in enforced disappearances, including legislation to limit their powers.
- Honorable release of political prisoners, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch Shah Ji Baloch, and Bebgar Baloch.
- A political solution to the Balochistan issue.
The resolution also urged all political parties and student organizations to set aside differences and collectively work to protect the fundamental rights of the Baloch nation and other marginalized communities, and to actively combat human rights violations, particularly enforced disappearances.
