Awaran: A memorial reference was organized by the Baloch National Movement (BNM) to honor the life and struggle of Mama Qadeer Baloch, Vice Chairman of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP). Activists of BNM from the Shaheed Rashid Zone, Awaran, participated in the event.
Addressing the gathering, speakers paid rich tribute to Mama Qadeer Baloch’s lifelong struggle and services. They stated that Mama Qadeer never allowed the grave human rights issue of enforced disappearances to fade into obscurity and, through his relentless efforts, brought the issue to global attention. By raising the matter internationally, he exposed and challenged the Pakistani state over enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
The condolence reference was addressed by Zonal President Ustad Mehran, former Secretary of BNM Mashkay Zone Amanullah Baloch and member Ali Baloch. The proceedings were conducted by Zonal Finance Secretary Meerak Baloch.
Speaking on the occasion, Zonal President Ustad Mehran described Mama Qadeer as a “shining lamp” of the Baloch homeland whose light reached across the world. He said Mama Qadeer succeeded in drawing the attention of international human rights defenders toward Balochistan, enabling the world to witness the oppression faced by the Baloch people at the hands of Pakistani forces and agencies.
Ustad Mehran further stated that Mama Qadeer’s son, Jalil Reki, was forcibly disappeared by the Pakistan Army, after which Mama Qadeer launched a long and historic protest movement. He endured what is regarded as the longest symbolic hunger strike in history. Hunger strikes are recognized worldwide as a voice of conscience, he said, but Pakistani authorities continued to ignore this moral call.
In his address, Amanullah Baloch said that Mama Qadeer was a courageous, resilient and wise individual who endured immense hardships throughout his struggle. By raising his voice against his son’s enforced disappearance, he laid the foundation for a historic movement demanding the recovery of all forcibly disappeared persons a movement that continues even after his death.
He recalled that when Jalil Reki’s body was later dumped, Mama Qadeer took his grandson to see it despite the child suffering from a congenital heart condition. Ignoring advice to shield the child, Mama Qadeer insisted on showing him the truth so future generations would remember what had happened. He told his grandson, “This is your father’s body, who was killed in custody by the Pakistan Army.
The speakers concluded by stating that Mama Qadeer Baloch was not only a symbol of resistance for the Baloch nation but also an inspirational figure for human rights defenders worldwide. His sacrifices and unwavering struggle, they said, will continue to guide oppressed nations in their fight for justice.
