The Baloch community commemorated worldwide Black Day on March 27. To raise awareness about the Baloch genocide, the Baloch National Movement in the Netherlands arranged a protest demonstration in Amsterdam.
The protestors, holding signs and flags, condemned the coercive seizure of Balochistan by Pakistani forces. Additionally, the protesters actively disseminated informative brochures to educate the local population about the Balochistan predicament. Underscoring their arduous fight, they underscored the annexation of Balochistan by Pakistani forces on March 27, 1948.
Activists from the Baloch community have initiated a petition calling on international bodies to intervene in response to the genocide being perpetrated against their people. They are calling for the United Nations and human rights groups to step in and ensure that those responsible for the atrocities in Balochistan are held accountable.
The Baloch community comprises various tribes who speak the Balochi language. They are estimated to have a population of approximately 5 million individuals residing in the province of Balochistan in Pakistan, as well as in neighbouring regions of Iran and Afghanistan. Within Pakistan, the Baloch people are categorized into two distinct groups: the Sulaimani and the Makrani. These groups are geographically separated by a concentrated cluster of Brahui tribes.
The Baloch people have historically been nomadic, however, a shift towards settled agricultural lifestyles is now noticeable, with each chief having a permanent residence. Villages consist of mud or stone huts, while hillside enclosures are constructed with rough stone walls covered in matting for temporary shelter. The Baloch community is involved in raising camels, cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as in carpet making and embroidery. Their farming techniques are basic, and they follow the Sunni branch of Islam.
In the least developed region of Balochistan in Pakistan, allegations have been made against the country’s intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, for engaging in various forms of atrocities such as abduction, murder, and torture, with the aim of instilling fear.
