In an attempt to highlight the sufferings of the Baloch nation, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) organized a protest and held a photo exhibition in Utrecht, Netherlands, urging the Dutch government as well as the global community to condemn Pakistan's claimed serious human rights abuses in Balochistan.
The protest, staged by the Netherlands branch of BNM on Saturday, aimed to generate international awareness over Pakistan's so-called controversial policies in the region, such as the much-debated "kill and dump" policy, systematic enforced disappearances, and repression of ethnic and political minorities.
"Amplifying Baloch voices, BNM urges the Netherlands to publicly denounce atrocities against Baloch people by Pakistan. Periodically, events are organized in Balochistan to raise awareness of Pakistan's 'kill & dump policy,' which has created fear & uncertainty among the Baloch people. Thousands of forcibly disappeared families remain in the dark about the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones, while widespread poverty continues to plague the local population," read the BNM's official statement.
The organizers pointed out that the event was also meant to draw international attention to the illegal arrests reported and continued physical and psychological mistreatment of key Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) members like Mahrang Baloch, Shah Jee Baloch, Beebo Baloch, Bibagar Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch.
Supporters, activists, and members of BNM participated in the demonstration en masse, bearing placards and banners with such slogans as 'Stop Baloch Genocide,' 'Enforced Disappearances Are Unacceptable,' and 'Free BYC Leaders.'
As part of the protest, a photo exhibition provided visual perspective on the tribulations of the Baloch people. It displayed photos featuring cultural aspects, the sacrifices of those considered to be 'martyrs,' and photographs of people who have vanished mysteriously.
The show hoped to stimulate empathy and show the deeply ingrained agony suffered by the community due to decades of oppression.
The speakers during the protest decried the violent methods reportedly being used by the Pakistani army in Balochistan and called for an urgent international intervention to stop the abuses.
The BNM Netherlands chapter reiterated its determination to put the Baloch issue on the agenda of global forums and urging tangible action from the international community.
"This protest and exhibition expressed BNM Netherlands' unflinching determination to raise the voice of the Baloch nation on every global platform and to stir the conscience of the international community into taking concrete action against the continuing state atrocities in Balochistan," the statement concluded.
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