▪ In an urgent plea, Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), has called upon democratic nations to intervene in the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan.
Dr. Naseem Baluch has outlined three key demands, with a United Nations fact-finding mission to investigate the severe human rights violations in Balochistan at the forefront. He highlighted the prolonged suffering of the Baloch people under Pakistani state oppression, tracing the roots of the crisis back to the forcible annexation of Balochistan in 1948.
Dr. Baloch accused the Pakistani military, intelligence agencies, and military-sponsored criminal groups of blatant human rights abuses, which have alarmingly increased. He noted that military violence and acts of genocide against the Baloch people, which began intensifying around the turn of the century, have continued unabated.
The Pakistani military’s aggressive collective punishment strategy has led to the forced disappearance and imprisonment of thousands of Baloch people in detention centers, causing severe anxiety and psychological distress in Baloch society.
Dr. Baloch expressed grave concerns over the discovery of mutilated bodies and mass graves of forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals, marking a massive human tragedy. He described the Pakistani army’s destruction of villages and burning of houses as ongoing acts of genocide.Despite the availability of modern information sources, Dr. Baloch criticized the global community, including the United Nations, for ignoring the severity of the Baloch crisis. He pointed out that the 2011 UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances’ visit was limited to a five-star hotel in Quetta, failing to engage with Baloch victims.
Dr. Baloch emphasized the relentless fight of the Baloch people against genocide and the harsh suppression of their protests by the Pakistani state. He detailed the recent events, starting on July 27, 2024, when the Pakistani army violently disrupted a national gathering, “Raji Machi,” in Gwadar. Despite obstacles, thousands of participants reached Gwadar, only to face brutal attacks, arrests of leaders, and a communication blackout.
The closure of communication channels and roads has made it difficult to ascertain the exact situation in Gwadar and provide medical aid to the injured. The Pakistani army’s blockade has also led to a water and food crisis in the city and surrounding areas.Dr. Baloch praised the leadership of the resistance movement by two young women, Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Baloch, highlighting their bravery and dedication. He noted that Sammi Baloch recently received the Frontline Defender for Human Rights Award, which she dedicated to the families of forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals.
Dr. Baloch’s appeal includes four main actions for the international community:
1. United Nations Resolution: Advocate for a UN fact-finding mission to assess the human tragedy in Balochistan.
2. Condemnation: Urge international bodies to condemn the genocide, state violence, and human rights violations in Balochistan.
3. Diplomatic Pressure: Apply diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to respect national and international human rights standards.
4. Uphold Democratic Values: Emphasize the situation in Balochistan as a test of democratic values, urging concrete actions to support the Baloch people’s struggle for justice.
Dr. Baloch called for solidarity and support from the international community to bring about change and uphold the principles of democracy and human rights.
