Lillehammer, Norway – At the ongoing international human rights conference, the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), the absence of Baloch Solidarity Committee leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch was marked in a dignified and symbolic gesture. Organizers left her seat empty, sending a powerful message to participants about her continued imprisonment for speaking out against injustice.
Announcing the gesture, the organizers stated:
“Dr. Mahrang Baloch is imprisoned today for raising her voice for human rights. As a protest, we have left her chair empty.”
The symbolic act was a strong statement of solidarity with activists worldwide who risk their freedom and lives to defend freedom of expression and human rights.
The conference was attended by human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, journalist Kiyya Baloch, and numerous international human rights activists and young leaders.
Sharing a photo of the empty chair, Imaan Mazari wrote, “Dr. Mahrang Baloch was remembered today at the human rights conference in Lillehammer.”
Journalist Kiyya Baloch reflected on the moment, saying:
“While Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, co-founder of Rappler, addressed the packed hall, an empty chair quietly paid tribute to Dr. Mahrang Baloch — a reminder of those silenced for speaking the truth.”
Dr. Mahrang’s sister, who has been closely following her legal case, expressed gratitude to WEXFO:
“I am deeply thankful to WEXFO for remembering Dr. Mahrang Baloch not just as a name, but as a symbol of courage and conscience.”
Nadia Baloch added, “Just last year, Mahrang stood on that very stage, speaking truth to power. Today, she is imprisoned for that same truth. Her only ‘crime’ was refusing to stay silent in the face of injustice. As we prepare to spend a second Eid without her, her absence remains a wound that has yet to heal.”
She concluded, “That empty chair was not just a sign of her absence — it was a reminder of the forces trying to silence dissent, and a testament to the fact that even in silence, resistance endures.”
