The Baloch National Movement (BNM) Netherlands chapter held its annual meeting, during which the chapter presented its yearly performance report.
According to the report, over the past year, the chapter actively continued its political and diplomatic efforts on an international level to raise awareness about the Baloch national struggle, enforced disappearances, state repression, human rights violations and Pakistan’s colonial occupation. Throughout the year, the chapter organized various protest demonstrations, seminars, study circles, diplomatic meetings and awareness campaigns.
The report highlighted several key activities, including a protest held on July 31 in front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague against the violence faced by participants of the Baloch Raaji Muchi. On August 11, pamphlets were distributed in various cities across the Netherlands to mark Balochistan’s Independence Day from British rule, and on August 14, a meeting was held with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. On August 30, a protest was organized to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Furthermore, study circles were held on September 7, 14, 21, and 30, and October 5 and 19.
From November 3 to 13, an awareness campaign and pamphlet distribution were conducted in Utrecht in memory of Baloch martyrs. On November 13, a seminar was held in The Hague to commemorate Baloch Martyrs’ Day. Between November 22 and 27, online study circles were held under the theme “Constitution and Manifesto.” On December 10, a protest was staged outside the Dutch Parliament on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, and a petition was submitted. Online study circles continued throughout December as well.
The report further mentioned that on January 15, a delegation of the chapter participated in the first congress held in Geneva. On February 11, they met with Dutch parliamentarians and submitted a petition. On March 22, the chapter’s delegation participated in the PTM Jirga, and on March 27, they took part in a three-day campaign in Geneva. On April 4, a protest was held in Amsterdam against the arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) activists, and on April 19, an awareness campaign was launched in Utrecht against the crackdown on BYC and the ongoing Baloch genocide.
In May, photo exhibitions and protest events were organized in Utrecht, Arnhem, The Hague, and Zwolle. On May 28, a rally and protest were held outside the Pakistani Embassy in The Hague against nuclear tests in Balochistan. On June 13, BNM briefed representatives of the European Union in Zutphen about human rights violations in Balochistan. On June 21, marking the International Day of Enforced Disappearances, a photo exhibition and protest were held in Amsterdam. On July 23, a protest demonstration was organized against the enforced disappearance of Ustad Wahid Qambar and other Baloch prisoners.
The report stated that over the past year, the Netherlands chapter of BNM organized 10 protest demonstrations, 6 awareness campaigns, 4 major campaigns, 4 photo exhibitions, 6 in-person study circles, 83 online study circles, and 2 seminars. Additionally, BNM Netherlands chapter activists participated in 4 international events.
The BNM Netherlands chapter reaffirmed that this struggle will continue in the coming years to further internationalize the Baloch issue.
