Geneva:A large group of activists gathered outside the United Nations office in Geneva on Tuesday to protest against human rights abuses in Balochistan. The protest, organised by the Baloch National Movement (BNM), coincided with the 57th UN Human Rights Session and aimed to highlight the ongoing repression in the region, calling for its independence.
Protesters raised slogans against the widespread violations of human rights in Balochistan, with a particular focus on the exploitation associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC project, which links Balochistan's Gwadar port to China’s Xinjiang region, has long been a source of discontent for the Baloch people, who accuse both Pakistan and China of exploiting their land and resources.
Rahima Mahmut, Executive Director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, expressed her solidarity with the Baloch people during the protest. "The people of Balochistan are enduring persecution by the Pakistani military, just as the Uyghurs have been suffering under the Chinese Communist Party for decades," she said. Mahmut emphasised the importance of unity between Uyghurs and Baloch people in their shared struggle against oppression.
Political activist Jaffer Mirza echoed these sentiments, calling on Pakistan to address the grievances of the Baloch people and respect their human rights. "Pakistan cannot continue down the same path. More violence will only fuel greater resistance. The Baloch people are asking for basic human dignity and recognition of their rights," Mirza said.
British human rights activist Peter Tatchell also voiced his support for the people of Balochistan, condemning Pakistan’s occupation of the region since 1948. He urged international bodies to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions, citing forced abductions, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings as violations of international law. "The West must stop military aid to Pakistan, and global sanctions should be imposed on its political and military leaders responsible for these crimes," Tatchell said.
The protest was further supported by Uyghur activists, who joined forces with the Baloch to denounce China’s role in the CPEC project. Both groups expressed concerns about the exploitation of resources and the violation of local rights due to large-scale development projects like CPEC.
The accompanying photo exhibition provided a stark visual representation of the hardships faced by the Baloch population, highlighting the devastating impact of military operations, disappearances, and resource exploitation in the region.
The BNM has pledged to continue its fight for the freedom of Balochistan and to stand against the suppression of its people.
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