Several Baloch activists have strongly denounced the violence against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). They criticized Pakistani authorities for using coercive measures and excessive force. The condemnation follows reports of numerous casualties and injuries during clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators in Rawalakot city, PoK.
The clashes occurred shortly after authorities in the occupied region banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under anti-terrorism laws. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch human rights activist and chief organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), currently detained in Huda Jail, Quetta, stated that the ban on JAAC reflects the state’s oppressive actions against freedom of expression and political rights in oppressed regions.
Naseem Baloch, chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), strongly criticized the suppression of public voices, arrests, and use of force to quell political demands in PoK. He highlighted the long-standing persecution, military aggression, and human rights violations faced by the Baloch nation since 1948, empathizing with the Kashmiri people’s plight.
Mir Yar Baloch, another human rights defender, condemned the reported extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and human rights abuses in PoK, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention. He called for attention to the ongoing military occupation, political repression, and denial of rights in PoK, Balochistan, and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan as hindrances to regional peace and democracy.
The activists urged the United Nations and the global community to protect civilians, uphold international law, and promote peaceful resolutions to protracted conflicts. They called for a critical examination of Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and emphasized the importance of human rights, self-determination, and democratic governance in the region.
