The Baloch National Movement (BNM) held a march and protest in the German city of Göttingen against the Pakistan Air Force’s bombardment of civilian areas in Surab, Balochistan, and the ongoing state repression in the region. Demonstrators expressed solidarity with the victims and their families and called on the international community to take immediate notice of the situation, ensure an independent investigation, and hold those responsible accountable.
The protesters urged the European Union, the United Nations, and the international community to take immediate action in response to reports of civilian deaths and human rights violations in Balochistan. They called for an end to the silence surrounding the situation and demanded effective measures to protect civilians and prevent further violence.
Addressing the protest, BNM Germany President Asghar Baloch described the ongoing repression of civilians in Balochistan as part of a broader pattern of abuses that has continued for decades. He said that Pakistan’s actions in Balochistan reflect a colonial mindset rooted in the relationship between an occupying power and a subjugated people. He stated that Balochistan has faced persistent state repression for decades in the context of the Baloch struggle for freedom.
BNM Germany General Secretary Luqman Baloch said that recent airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force in Surab and Kharan had killed more than 20 civilians, including women, children and elderly people. He said the ongoing media blackout in Balochistan was hindering the independent and transparent verification of reports of state violence.
Washma Baloch called on international institutions and human rights organisations to take effective action through international mechanisms to prevent further violence and ensure the protection of civilians.
Akbar Baloch highlighted the Surab tragedy and the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, criticising what he described as systematic discrimination against the Baloch people. He said the Baloch nation continues its struggle for its fundamental rights and freedom, while accusing Pakistan of pursuing policies that amount to genocide against the Baloch nation in an attempt to suppress their struggle.
