The central spokesperson of Baloch National Movement (BNM) said that on 10 December — the International Human Rights Day, demonstrations were held in Germany and Netherlands against the Baloch genocide and atrocities committed by Pakistan in Balochistan. Protesters held pictures of Baloch martyrs and ‘enforced disappeared’ persons, chanted slogans and distributed pamphlets to the locals.
Addressing the protest in Amsterdam, BNM Netherlands Zone President Keyya Baloch said that “…today we have gathered here on the occasion of International Human Rights Day to show the world that a humanitarian crisis has arisen in Balochistan. The Baloch are being deprived of their basic human rights.”
He added that “the Baloch have been demanding the right to life for the last seven decades. Today thousands of people have come to the streets in Gwadar demanding the right to live with dignity. Human Rights Day is being observed all over the world but the families of those who have been forcibly disappeared in Balochistan are still protesting. We want the international community to take notice of human rights violations in Balochistan.”
Addressing the protesters, Abdul Ghani Baloch, a senior member of BNM Netherlands, said: “We have gathered here for our rights and our struggle is also for human rights.” Munawar Baloch, Deputy General Secretary of BNM Netherlands Zone, said: “The purpose of our protest is to show the world that we Baloch are human beings of the same flesh and blood. Our only demand is that we be given the right to live.” BNM member Imran Hakeem Baloch in his address said that two days ago the bodies of two enforced missing persons were dumped in Western Balochistan.
BNM members Jabbar Baloch, Jasim Baloch, Badal Baloch, Amjad Baloch and BRP’s Abdul Jalil Baloch also addressed the protesters in Münster, Germany.
Jabbar Baloch said that Pakistani forces were abducting, disappearing and killing political and social activists in Balochistan. “There are torture cells in all Pakistan Army cantonments. People are kidnapped and kept there for years. Dr. Deen Mohammad and Zakir Majeed have been in the secret prisons of the Pakistan Army for 12 years, so are countless women and children. Similarly, sons of the Sindhi nation are also in torture cells. In the last two decades, human rights violations have reached their peak in Balochistan and Sindh. Thousands of people from different walks of life have been forcibly disappeared.”
Jasim Baloch said that on this international human rights day, “we appeal to the world to play its role in liberating us so that we can live like other nations of the world. We receive mutilated dead bodies daily under the occupation of Pakistan.”
Addressing the protesters, BRP’s Abdul Jalil said, “I would like to draw your attention to the atrocities being perpetrated by Pakistan. Thousands have gone missing. Due to the silence of the world, Pakistan has got immunity to commit crimes. The world powers and the world media should not ignore Balochistan because we are losing our loved ones on daily basis.”
Paying homage to Banuk Karima, Badal Baloch said that “this day reminds of the human rights that every individual is entitled to. But, we are slaves to a country that does not follow any international law. On the other hand, the world is silent on Pakistan’s terrorism. Baloch villages are being burnt down and forced to relocate. We dedicate our today’s program to Banuk Karima Baloch as she gave a new shape to the movement and included Baloch women in this movement. Banuk Karima with her blood and sacrifice has given a boost to the Baloch resistance.”
Amjid Baloch while paying homage to Banuk Karima Baloch said that she may have been physically separated from us but her sacrifice is a beacon for us and she is with us. “She has conveyed the message of national liberation in every corner of Balochistan. We have been in the throes of oppression for seventy years. The Pakistan Army does not consider us Baloch as human being. There are many human rights laws in the world but sadly they are absent in Balochistan.”