Full text of Shali Baloch’s speech at the Kurdish Victory Demonstration against ISIS.
The Baloch and Kurdish nations have long faced a similar fate, enduring decades of state-backed atrocities, subjugation, and regression. Alongside these shared struggles, they share a history of resistance, fighting against imperialist powers and oppressive hegemonies.
The revolutionary progress of any nation depends significantly on the role of women. Both the Kurdish and Baloch nations are fortunate to have politically aware, resilient, and courageous women at the forefront of their movements. The focus here is on the role of Baloch women in the freedom movement and their efforts to highlight human rights violations in Balochistan.
The demand for autonomy, identity, and justice has seen women emerge as essential participants in resisting oppression, preserving cultural traditions, and advocating for human rights. Despite their vital contributions, these women face immense challenges, including enforced disappearances, systemic violence, and social and economic marginalization.
Women have taken on significant roles in organizing protests and rallies against state violence and enforced disappearances. Groups such as the Baloch Women Forum, under the leadership of Dr. Shali, and activists like Banuk Karima Baloch, the former chairperson of the Baloch Students Organization-Azad, have achieved international recognition for their work.
In recent years, the participation of Baloch women in political mobilization has increased significantly. Organizations like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, led by Dr. Mahrang Baloch, and individuals such as Sammi Deen Baloch and Dr. Sabiha Baloch exemplify this. Many women have become activists after experiencing the disappearance or killing of loved ones, joining efforts like the families of the Missing Persons of Balochistan to organize sit-ins and appeal to international human rights organizations.
The 2014 Long March, led by Mama Qadeer Baloch, included many women marching alongside, symbolizing the shared trauma and resilience of the Baloch community. Women in the diaspora, such as Karima Baloch, have brought the movement to international platforms like the United Nations, exposing human rights violations in Balochistan to the world.
Reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International document cases where Baloch women have been abducted by security forces or armed groups as a means of punishing male family members involved in the freedom movement. These actions violate international laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Women activists and journalists advocating for Baloch rights continue to face harassment, threats, and, in some cases, exile. The suspicious death of Karima Baloch in Canada highlights the far-reaching nature of these threats.
International organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council, have raised concerns about the situation in Balochistan, urging Pakistan to address allegations of enforced disappearances and violence against women. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch consistently call for accountability and justice for the victims of these abuses.
The Baloch diaspora plays a vital role in bringing these issues to the attention of the global community, advocating for international intervention to protect Baloch women and uphold human rights standards. Addressing the violations in Balochistan requires collective national and international efforts to ensure accountability, reparations for victims, and systemic reforms.
The contributions of women to the Baloch freedom struggle reflect their resilience, courage, and commitment to justice. While their activism and advocacy strengthen the movement, they also remain among its most vulnerable victims. Efforts to address their plight must include local reforms, international advocacy, and broader awareness of their struggles. Justice and equality for Baloch women are critical not only for the movement but for society as a whole.
References:
- Human Rights Watch. (2013). “We Can Torture, Kill, or Keep You for Years”: Enforced Disappearances by Pakistan Security Forces in Balochistan. Retrieved from HRW.
- Amnesty International. (2020). Pakistan: End enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
