LONDON: The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has welcomed continued support from British and Irish lawmakers over the human rights violations in Balochistan, following renewed parliamentary action in both countries.
In a statement issued to the media, the BNM thanked UK Member of Parliament John McDonnell for tabling an Early Day Motion and submitting two written parliamentary questions concerning reported airstrikes in Surab, civilian casualties, curfews and communications shutdowns across Balochistan.
According to the BNM, the UK government responded by confirming it is aware of the reports and that the British High Commission continues to raise the human rights situation in Balochistan with Pakistani officials at higher levels.
The BNM described this acknowledgement as “important” but said it must now be followed by concrete action. The organization called on the UK government to support an independent international investigation into the reported airstrikes, hold Pakistan accountable for “war crimes” in Balochistan and end aid, funding and military equipment transfers that it said could enable further abuses against the Baloch population. The BNM reiterated its intention to continue advocating for the Baloch national struggle at international forums and to raise Pakistan’s human rights violations globally.
Separately, the BNM said its international outreach following the Surab airstrike has drawn additional response from Irish lawmakers. It said Ruth Coppinger, a member of the Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann), raised the Balochistan attacks and concerns over civilian casualties directly with Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In her reply, Foreign Minister Helen McEntee reportedly confirmed that Ireland is monitoring developments in Balochistan through its embassy in Islamabad, engaging with the EU Delegation and other international partners and raising human rights concerns directly with Pakistani officials. The BNM said the minister also confirmed that Pakistan’s compliance with international human rights conventions remains central to the European Union’s GSP+ trade engagement with Islamabad.
The BNM thanked Coppinger for raising the issue in the Irish parliament, describing the development as evidence that “sustained international diplomacy” is placing Pakistan’s actions in Balochistan before governments, parliaments and international institutions.
The organization said that while Pakistan may seek to restrict access to Balochistan, it cannot prevent growing international scrutiny of the situation there.
