Quetta, Balochistan: The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) organized a protest demonstration on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, highlighting the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Addressing the participants, VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch, General Secretary Hooran Baloch, Nadia Baloch (sister of Dr. Mahrang Baloch), Comrade Sania of the Communist Party, BSO Pajjar leader Haq, the sister of forcibly disappeared Saifullah Baloch, Mahmood Ali Lango, Naimatullah, Ghulam Farooq Sarparah, Ustad Wahid Kambar, Ghani Baloch and other families of missing persons spoke at the gathering.
The speakers stated that enforced disappearances constitute a serious violation of human rights, yet despite more than two decades, no effective measures have been taken to resolve the issue.
They said incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch individuals continue to rise, while the use of force in the name of national security persists in Balochistan. The speakers also expressed concern that women are now increasingly being subjected to enforced disappearances, which they said has deepened resentment and unrest among the people of Balochistan.
The protesters demanded the immediate recovery of missing persons, an end to enforced disappearances and a complete halt to extrajudicial killings. They also called for the release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other detained leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
Participants emphasized that the issue of Balochistan is political in nature and warned that the continued use of force would only worsen the situation. They urged the government to move toward a serious political solution.
Families of the missing persons said that protesting on a day like Eid reflects their pain and is meant to draw the world’s attention to their suffering, in the hope that authorities will take meaningful steps for the recovery of their loved ones.
