Prominent Baloch Activists Recount the Atrocities Faced by the Baloch community in Pakistan

Numerous prominent Baloch human rights activists have expressed their deep concerns regarding the ongoing atrocities inflicted upon the Baloch community in Pakistan throughout the past two decades. They have urged politicians and leaders to prioritize the civil rights of this oppressed population.

An event held to spotlight the plight of the Baloch community globally drew the participation of over 500 individuals from various parts of the world. This diverse gathering included journalists, representatives from media organizations, members of the United Kingdom government, intellectuals, and Baloch community members.

Hosted by John McDonnell, the Labour Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington, the event aimed to draw international attention to the severe hardships faced by the Baloch people. Prominent Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch recounted the numerous atrocities endured by her community, including her own experience of her father’s abduction when she was just 14 years old. She highlighted the pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies against Baloch individuals.

Mahrang emphasized the systematic genocide endured by the Baloch community over the past 76 years, with intensified atrocities in the last two decades. She criticized Pakistan’s judiciary for its failure to address these issues and its tendency to side with the military, perpetuating a climate of impunity.

Sabiha Baloch, another activist focusing on students’ rights, underscored the challenges faced by the Baloch community, particularly in education, despite the region’s abundant natural resources. She lamented the occupation of schools by the military and the limited access to higher education for Baloch students.

Jamal Baloch, another participant in the discussion, shared his harrowing experience of abduction and torture by Pakistani forces. He highlighted the alarming frequency of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, painting a grim picture of the pervasive fear and repression faced by the Baloch people.

Despite Balochistan’s vast wealth in natural resources, the province remains economically marginalized due to discriminatory policies by the Pakistani government. The Baloch population, constituting one-third of the province’s inhabitants, has long endured marginalization and repression, leading to persistent armed resistance.