It follows weeks of heightened tensions following the deaths of four Baloch people in a so-called “kill and dump” operation carried out by Pakistan’s security forces.
Shakoor Baloch, Saif Baloch, and Balach Mola Bakhsh were killed on November 23 in the city of Turbat, in the Pakistan province of Balochistan.
According to Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Balach had been arrested on November 20 and confessed to masterminding a terror plot. Using information he gave them, Pakistan authorities raided an address during which Balach was killed.
But the episode was just another example of a “fake encounter”, in which Pakistan authorities abduct Baloch citizens only to eliminate them later under the pretext of a counter terror operation, campaigners say.
Balach’s lawyer, Advocate Jadain Dahshti, said that Balach was “never even involved in activism” and focused on his work in a tailor’s shop in Turbat’s Five Star Market.
Earlier this month a major conference organised by the Baloch National Movement (BNM ) cast a spotlight on forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and other grave human rights violations in Balochistan.
More than 50,000 members of the Baloch community have been abducted since 2003, campaigners say, though this is disputed by Pakistan authorities.
The Amsterdam summit included BNM leaders and members from across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Paris, and the Netherlands and featured speeches from prominent human rights activists like Francesco Marino from Italy and Ayesha Siddiqa from the UK, alongside virtual addresses from Inam Mazari, a human rights activist, and Afshariyab Khatak, a leader from Pakistan’s National Democratic Movement.
The Baloch are a traditionally nomadic people who have lived in South and Western Asia, and are currently scattered in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
In Pakistan just having a Baloch name is enough to be marginalised and subjected to racist treatment, campaigners said at the summit.
They cited instances at Punjab University, where Baloch students have suffered nervous breakdowns over the double standards levied by academic staff.
Balach’s death prompted the so-called Baloch Long March against Genocide in which thousands of women slowly marched towards Islamabad, led by human rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch.
The protesters are demanding an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, as well as accountability for those involved in the alleged extrajudicial killings of Baloch youth.
Marchers were eventually forcibly dispersed after Pakistani police fired tear gas and water cannons, arresting at least 200 protestors, Dr Baloch among them.
Other marches were held across Europe, including a march in Trafalgar square London.
Members of the Baloch Republican Party reconvened to descend upon Downing Street on December 23.
Speaking last night, spokesman Hamaal Haider said: “We are trying to convince the British Government to take these important human rights abuses by Pakistan seriously.
“Over the last 20 years the Pakistan authorities have abducted more than 50,0000 people and have killed thousands of political activists, lawyers and journalists.
“We are targeted and we are frightened.” UK-Pakistan relations remain complicated.
On one hand Pakistan is a member of the Commonwealth and has its largest diaspora – around a million people – living in Britain.
Officially its army is said to be an important bulwark against Jihadism.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s ever-closening relationship with China has forced the UK to boost its charm offensive by redoubling aid and investment.
Over the past decade, the UK has invested £900m in girls’ education and broader education systems reform.
Technical assistance has helped the Government of Pakistan generate £1.1 billion through revenue mobilisation reforms and public financial management assistance in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. This has doubled the development spending of these provinces to more than £1 billion.
Mr Haider added: “Of course, we do not expect the UK to sever all ties with Pakistan.“But we do expect consistency.”
Citing Britain’s role in officially condemning the human rights relations in October, he added: “There are no prison camps yet, but in every substantive way this is just like the persecution of Uyghur muslims by China.
“We want this issue raised in Parliament and we want PM Rishi Sunak to send Islamabad a clear message about its deep and unjustifiable human rights abuses against the Baloch people.
“We need him to at least pressure Islamabad to allow independent observers in, with freedom to examine what is happening. “
Pakistan denies that it operates a “kill and dump” policy against Baloch people.
