The Baloch National Movement (BNM) launched a series of events on Monday with the Fifth Balochistan International Conference, held in Geneva on the sidelines of the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The conference featured speeches from human rights activists, legal experts, and political figures, aiming to highlight ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan and bring international attention to the region’s political challenges.
Prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, speaking via video link, addressed the issue of enforced disappearances, citing the case of Rashid Hussain Baloch, who has been missing for six years. Mazari stated that despite clear evidence of Rashid’s transfer to Pakistan and his subsequent disappearance, authorities continue to deny involvement, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
She further emphasized that even if current repressive policies, such as enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, were to end, the Baloch national question remains unresolved and must be addressed through the Baloch people’s right to self-determination. Mazari argued that the denial of their identity by the state of Pakistan has fueled deep mistrust and hostility between the Baloch people and the Pakistani state.
Former British Labour MP John McDonnell called for increased international pressure on Pakistan to address what he described as “severe human rights violations” in Balochistan. McDonnell urged the global community to stop turning a blind eye, emphasizing the need for international accountability.
Italian journalist Francesca Marino, author of Balochistan: Bruised, Battered, and Bloodied, provided an analysis of the ongoing conflict, describing the “systematic repression” faced by the Baloch people. She highlighted that the humanitarian crisis in the region remains largely underreported globally.
Researcher Dr. Jennifer Philippa Eggert, an expert on women’s rights in conflict zones, spoke about the unique challenges faced by Baloch women amid state violence. She called for greater international attention to both gender-based and political violence affecting women in Balochistan.
Renowned Baloch author and historian Dr. Naseer Dashti warned of the dangers posed by Pakistan’s use of the Fourth Schedule against Baloch activists. He argued that such measures would exacerbate tensions and called for an end to the repressive policies targeting the Baloch population.
Climate and human rights activist Yousuf Baloch, organizer of the Balochistan chapter of Fridays For Future, linked the region’s environmental degradation to the broader human rights crisis. He emphasized the importance of community-led initiatives to address both environmental and human rights challenges.
Kashmiri nationalist leader Habib Rehman and Dr. Lakhu Lohana, General Secretary of the World Sindhi Congress, both stressed the need for solidarity among marginalized groups in the region. Rehman drew parallels between the Baloch and Kashmiri struggles, while Lohana highlighted shared challenges faced by the Sindhi and Baloch population under “state oppression.”
BNM Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch delivered a powerful speech, sharing the immense pain and suffering of the Baloch people and calling for international solidarity. He emphasized that Balochistan was once an independent state and that the Baloch resistance to Pakistan’s rule is morally and legally justified under international law.
Dr. Baloch described Pakistan as a “terrorist state,” accusing it of committing severe human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishment. He referenced the existence of a ‘Cemetery of Unknown Bodies’ in Mastung, where victims of state atrocities are buried without identification.
He also condemned China’s involvement in Balochistan, accusing it of exploiting the region’s resources through strategic projects that deepen the oppression of the Baloch people. Dr. Baloch called for global action, stating that the Baloch struggle is not just against human rights abuses, but for national independence. “Our sacrifices will continue, and we will not rest until we are free,” he said.
The conference, moderated by Niaz Zehri along with activists Shalli Baloch and Iman Baloch, is part of a broader series of events organized by the BNM during the UNHRC session.
On Tuesday, the BNM will hold a protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva near the Broken Chair monument, aiming to draw attention to what it describes as “gross human rights violations” in Balochistan.
Additionally, a photo exhibition titled Frames of Balochistan: A Visual Journey of Beauty and Struggle will run from Tuesday to Wednesday, showcasing the culture and resilience of the Baloch people while highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis.