V
Vedant Pathak
Guest
The Baloch people, an ethnic minority in Pakistan, have been protesting the Pakistani army’s brutality in the Balochistan region. The region has been a hotspot of separatist conflict, with the Baloch people demanding an equitable share of the province’s riches or outright independence from Pakistan. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations have fueled protests during this conflict.
Baloch sit-in outside NPC | PC – Business Recorder
The Baloch people’s rivalry originates from exploitation, marginalization, and historical injustices. They say they are denied the province’s riches, underrepresented politically, and suffer alleged rights violations. These issues, along with a history of marginalization and oppression intensify their hostility against the central authority.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leading figure in Baloch Resistance Movement led the Baloch Long March from Balochistan on December 6, 2023, ethnic Baloch protesters marched 1,600 kilometres from the southwestern Turbat district to Islamabad. The march was met with a violent crackdown, including the use of water cannons, tear gas, and the arrest of 290 protesters. Despite the oppressive measures, the Baloch people continued to voice their demands, with hundreds of Baloch women protesting under Section 144, a legal provision to curb public gatherings.
The general public of Quetta welcomed the participants who had gathered in the city to raise their voices. | PC – The Print
On January 27, 2024, the Baloch people held a public rally organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. The rally aimed to raise awareness about the “Baloch genocide” and the human rights abuses in Balochistan. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of the committee, emphasised the need for unity and solidarity in the face of oppression.
A 30-year-old Baloch activist, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, is addressing protestors in Quetta, Pakistan | PC – AN Photo
The Baloch people’s rallies have attracted worldwide attention, with groups like Amnesty International reporting on human rights violations in Pakistan. Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister, acknowledged Balochistan’s issues, notably the issue of missing individuals. Despite government efforts to prevent public gatherings, the Baloch people are relentless in their quest of justice and accountability.
The struggle in Balochistan has come at a significant human cost, with thousands of cases of enforced disappearances reported. Families of the missing individuals continue to await news on their loved ones, with the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan documenting nearly 9,000 cases, a substantial number of which remain unresolved.
The Baloch people’s continued fight for justice and accountability in the face of official cruelty has sparked international interest. The public gathering on January 27, 2024, displays their unshakable desire to seek justice for the human rights violations they have faced.
The post Balochistan Protests: Opposing Pakistan Army’s Brutality appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
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Baloch sit-in outside NPC | PC – Business Recorder
The Aggression: Reasons Behind
The Baloch people’s rivalry originates from exploitation, marginalization, and historical injustices. They say they are denied the province’s riches, underrepresented politically, and suffer alleged rights violations. These issues, along with a history of marginalization and oppression intensify their hostility against the central authority.
The Long March and Crackdown
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leading figure in Baloch Resistance Movement led the Baloch Long March from Balochistan on December 6, 2023, ethnic Baloch protesters marched 1,600 kilometres from the southwestern Turbat district to Islamabad. The march was met with a violent crackdown, including the use of water cannons, tear gas, and the arrest of 290 protesters. Despite the oppressive measures, the Baloch people continued to voice their demands, with hundreds of Baloch women protesting under Section 144, a legal provision to curb public gatherings.
The general public of Quetta welcomed the participants who had gathered in the city to raise their voices. | PC – The Print
The Call for Justice: January 27, 2024
On January 27, 2024, the Baloch people held a public rally organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. The rally aimed to raise awareness about the “Baloch genocide” and the human rights abuses in Balochistan. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of the committee, emphasised the need for unity and solidarity in the face of oppression.
A 30-year-old Baloch activist, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, is addressing protestors in Quetta, Pakistan | PC – AN Photo
International Attention and Government Response
The Baloch people’s rallies have attracted worldwide attention, with groups like Amnesty International reporting on human rights violations in Pakistan. Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister, acknowledged Balochistan’s issues, notably the issue of missing individuals. Despite government efforts to prevent public gatherings, the Baloch people are relentless in their quest of justice and accountability.
The Human Cost: Enforced Disappearances and Unresolved Cases
The struggle in Balochistan has come at a significant human cost, with thousands of cases of enforced disappearances reported. Families of the missing individuals continue to await news on their loved ones, with the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan documenting nearly 9,000 cases, a substantial number of which remain unresolved.
The Baloch people’s continued fight for justice and accountability in the face of official cruelty has sparked international interest. The public gathering on January 27, 2024, displays their unshakable desire to seek justice for the human rights violations they have faced.
The post Balochistan Protests: Opposing Pakistan Army’s Brutality appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
Continue reading...