The Baloch National Movement (BNM) organized a protest rally in Hannover, Germany, to strongly condemn the life imprisonment sentences handed down to Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Baloch. The demonstration also denounced the baseless judicial proceedings initiated against Baloch Students Organization (BSO) Chairman Balach Qadir, along with several other student leaders and political activists.
A diverse lineup of activists and leaders addressed the gathering. Speakers included BNM Germany Chapter President Asghar Baloch, former President Shar Hassan, former BNM Germany Vice President Safia Baloch, Baloch Republican Party (BRP) member Hammad Kurd, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) representative Faisal Khan, BNM members Akbar Ali and Sara Umair, as well as BNM sympathizers Hira Bano and Murad Baloch.
Addressing the protesters, the speakers highlighted that this systemic oppression has persisted since Pakistan’s forceful occupation of Balochistan in 1948. They declared that such atrocities will never silence the voice of the Baloch nation, stressing that Balochistan has been deliberately isolated and continuously denied justice.
The speakers further noted that the Pakistani state is marginalizing the Baloch nation in every conceivable manner. They argued that, with the backing of certain state-sponsored elements, the space for legitimate political activism in Balochistan is being systematically restricted.
In their concluding remarks, the speakers emphasized that incarcerating BYC leaders and activists merely for demanding accountability and basic human rights is a blatant violation of international human rights standards. They appealed to international organizations and the global community to take notice of the deteriorating situation and play an impartial role in resolving the crisis.