Baloch Women Long March: A Defiant Stand Against Forced Disappearances
Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan, embodies abundant mineral resources yet grapples with long-standing marginalization and neglect in development. The region’s strife is compounded by a faction seeking separation from the state, prompting severe measures from the Pakistani military establishment to weaken these movements. Tragically, these efforts have led to the justification of unlawful acts and grave human rights violations under the guise of state security.
The military stands implicated in severe abuses, notably through forceful abductions and disappearances of Baloch individuals, encompassing political workers, journalists, and students suspected of affiliations with separatist groups. The Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) reports over 7000 missing individuals, while the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances recognized significantly fewer cases. This disparity underscores the gravity of the situation and the lack of consensus between the Baloch activists and the state authorities.
While a democratic framework exists in Balochistan, it’s widely acknowledged that the powerful military establishment exercises de facto control, influencing the pre-selection of political leaders largely aligned with their interests. This political landscape lacks true representation, leaving the Baloch people underrepresented, especially the middle class. The ongoing long march led by Baloch women further highlighted the disconnect between Baloch political leaders and the grassroots suffering from human rights abuses.
The ongoing Baloch Long March led by Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Baloch, is unprecedented. It has been successful in initiating a national conversation about the issue of forced disappearances. The stories of both Mahrang and Sammi, are also inspiring. These two Baloch women are themselves victims of forced disappearances and now they have become national symbols for the cause. Mahrang Balouch started her activism at the tender age of 16 when her father was abducted and killed without providing an opportunity to be heard. Later on, her brother was also abducted in 2017 but due to her impactful social media campaign, he was released. Whereas, Sammi Balouch, is the daughter of a missing doctor, and she has been advocating against the issue of forced disappearances since 2009.
Mahrang and Sammi Balouch initiated the long march, after a tragic fake encounter involving Balaach Mola Bakhsh, a student taken into custody by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on 29th October. Although the constitution of Pakistan and other laws mandate that an incarcerated individual has to be presented in court within 24 hours of the arrest, Balaach’s whereabouts remained undisclosed for 22 days. Eventually, on November 20th, an FIR was filed against him by the CTD, alleging possession of explosives. He appeared in court, and a further 10-day remand was granted. His bail plea was scheduled for November 24th. However, on November 23rd, the CTD claimed that Balaach was among four terrorists from a proscribed group killed in an encounter in Turbat, Balochistan. His family rejected the claims of the CTD and protested against the extrajudicial murder of their son. Their outcry led to protests across Balochistan and eventually propelled Mahrang and Sammi to initiate the long march to demand justice for Baloch youth.
These two women led the march from Turbat along with family members of the victims of forced disappearances in the freezing cold weather and reached the capital after more than 20 days. Their march to the capital was not easy and they met with obstacles throughout the journey. Finally, when they reached Islamabad after surmounting all the challenges, the authorities employed tactics to delay their entry into Islamabad, leading to confrontations and crackdowns that resulted in the arrest of over 200 individuals, drawing national attention. The subsequent negotiations with the cabinet committee and the interference of the courts led to some releases, yet reports indicate some participants remain in custody or face forced deportation.
The peaceful protest of these Baloch women underscores the severity of the issue and the abuse of power by law enforcement agencies. Moreover, it highlights the shortcomings of state institutions in addressing the Baloch people’s grievances. Even if someone is involved in any anti-state practices, they should be presented in courts of law, and after adjudication, the courts of law will decide their fate. The state cannot justify any unlawful practice under the guise of state security. In these challenging times, solidarity from the people of Pakistan and civil society is crucial to support these peaceful protestors in their pursuit of justice.
The plight of Balochistan demands urgent national attention and concerted efforts to uphold human rights, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals regardless of their background or affiliations. The resilience of the Baloch people in the face of adversity reflects a relentless pursuit of justice and underscores the imperative for a more inclusive and responsive governance system in Pakistan.
