Geneva, Switzerland: The Baloch National Movement (BNM) organised a three-day series of events in Geneva during the 60th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, featuring a press conference, protest, and photo exhibition. Led by BNM Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch and coordinated by the BNM Foreign Department, these events are part of the party’s regular international efforts to raise awareness about the situation in Balochistan, human rights violations, and the ongoing struggle of the Baloch nation.
- Seventh Balochistan International Conference :
- International Community Must Recognize the Baloch Nation’s Right to Self-Determination: Dr. Naseem Baloch
- Our Strategy Is to Pressure Ministers to Stop the Exploitation of Balochistan: John McDonnell
- Mohsin Dawar: Oppressed Nations Cannot Survive Within Pakistan’s Current Structure
- The Struggle for Truth May Be Long, but It Is Never Hopeless: Reed Brody
- We Seek Not Sympathy, but the Freedom to Live in Peace in Our Homeland: Faheem Baloch
- No Baloch Leader Advocating Peaceful Struggle Is Safe: Hatim Baloch
- We Will Continue Raising Our Voices Until Justice Is Achieved: Rauf Laghari
- Political Exclusion, Economic Exploitation, and Cultural Suppression Give Rise to Resistance: Dr. Mohammad Taqi
- Protest and Photo Exhibition :
During the same session, BNM hosted the Seventh Balochistan International Conference under the theme: “The Struggle for Balochistan: Rights, Resistance, and Regional Significance.” The globally attended conference brought together Baloch leadership, international representatives, and human rights advocates to highlight Balochistan’s socio-political realities and persistent human rights challenges.
Seventh Balochistan International Conference :
The conference focused on human rights and the Baloch national question, featuring speeches by Dr. Naseem Baloch, UK MP John McDonnell, NDM President Mohsin Dawar, human rights lawyer Reed Brody, BNM Foreign Secretary Faheem Baloch, BNM Central Committee member and Paank Coordinator Hatim Baloch, World Sindhi Congress leader Rauf Laghari, and columnist Dr. Mohammad Taqi. Hakeem Baloch moderated the event, while images of imprisoned Baloch leaders, including Ustad Wahid Kambar Baloch and Dr. Mahrang Baloch, were prominently displayed to raise awareness of Pakistan’s treatment of Baloch political leadership.
International Community Must Recognize the Baloch Nation’s Right to Self-Determination: Dr. Naseem Baloch
Dr. Naseem Baloch emphasised that no foreign investment or project in Balochistan can proceed without the consent of the Baloch nation. “It does not matter which country seeks to impose its interests; whether regional or global powers, no state has the right to exploit our homeland against our will. The wealth of Balochistan belongs to the Baloch nation, and only we will decide how it is used.”
He recalled Balochistan’s historical sovereignty and the 1948 forced annexation by Pakistan despite the rejection of accession by the Kalat parliament. “Our struggle is not merely political; it is a demand for historical and legal recognition. We call upon the international community to acknowledge Baloch sovereignty, investigate human rights violations, and recognize the Baloch people’s right to self-determination.”
Full Speech of Dr. Naseem Baloch: https://thebnm.org/chairperson/24974/
Our Strategy Is to Pressure Ministers to Stop the Exploitation of Balochistan: John McDonnell
UK MP John McDonnell, participating online, highlighted Britain’s historical responsibility and current oversight regarding the Baloch people. “Our strategy has been to work with Baloch organisations in the UK to provide Parliament with information, enabling them to apply pressure on government ministers to address abuses and resource exploitation in Balochistan.”
He also stressed international engagement, stating: “We must ensure the names of those arrested or killed are presented directly to ministers. Awareness is growing, but further parliamentary action is necessary to end human rights abuses and uphold the principle of self-determination.”
Full Speech of John McDonnell : https://thebnm.org/foreign-department/24988/
Mohsin Dawar: Oppressed Nations Cannot Survive Within Pakistan’s Current Structure
Mohsin Dawar, Member of Pakistan’s Parliament and President of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), emphasised that the survival of the Baloch, Pashtuns, Sindhis, and other oppressed nations is not possible under Pakistan’s existing constitutional and federating structure. “The constitution gives disproportionate power to one province, enabling Punjab’s dominance while sidelining the rest. This flawed structure cannot safeguard our basic human rights,” he said, highlighting the systematic marginalisation faced by oppressed nations.
He further drew attention to ongoing enforced disappearances in Balochistan, noting that families of missing persons have been protesting in Islamabad for over 60 days. “I have personally visited them along with my party leadership and witnessed their courage despite continuous repression. Sadly, mainstream political parties rarely stand with them, exposing the reality of Pakistan’s attitude toward oppressed nations,” Dawar said, demanding the release of political prisoners and leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.
Full Speech of Mohsin Dawar : https://thebnm.org/foreign-department/25000/
The Struggle for Truth May Be Long, but It Is Never Hopeless: Reed Brody
American human rights lawyer Reed Brody affirmed that the people of Balochistan are not alone. “The struggle for truth and accountability can be long, but it is never hopeless. We must insist on international scrutiny.”
He called for independent investigations into enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and targeting of women activists. “Support the voices of victims, demand accountability, and do not let geopolitics blind us to serious abuses,” Brody urged.
Full Speech of Reed Brody : https://thebnm.org/foreign-department/24997/
We Seek Not Sympathy, but the Freedom to Live in Peace in Our Homeland: Faheem Baloch
BNM Foreign Secretary Faheem Baloch emphasised that the struggle is against occupation, not the people of Pakistan. “Our struggle is against the occupation that denies us our rights, dignity, and future. Like every nation, the Baloch people have the right to self-determination and freedom.”
He highlighted ongoing systemic violence, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and called upon the UN, EU, and human rights organisations to investigate. “Stand with the Baloch nation. We ask not for sympathy, but for solidarity, recognition of our rights, and the freedom to live peacefully in our homeland.”
Full Speech of Faheem Baloch: https://thebnm.org/foreign-department/25004/
No Baloch Leader Advocating Peaceful Struggle Is Safe: Hatim Baloch
Hatim Baloch outlined decades of repression since Pakistan’s annexation in 1948. “The state has pursued military operations, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and targeted political leaders who demand justice. No Baloch leader advocating peaceful struggle is safe.”
Citing recent statistics, he reported hundreds of disappearances and extrajudicial killings in 2025 alone, along with surveillance and secret trials. He urged global governments and international bodies to hold Pakistan accountable and secure the release of political prisoners and activists.
Full Speech of Hatim Baloch: https://thebnm.org/foreign-department/24994/
We Will Continue Raising Our Voices Until Justice Is Achieved: Rauf Laghari
World Sindhi Congress leader Rauf Laghari connected Baloch struggles with broader oppression in Pakistan. “Depriving oppressed peoples like Sindhis, Baloch, and Pashtuns of rights is not only a humanitarian tragedy but a threat to global security. Solidarity between nations amplifies the call for justice.”
He called on the international community to listen, act, and support oppressed peoples. “Your struggle is our struggle. Your freedom is our freedom. Together, we will continue raising our voices until justice is achieved.”
Full Speech of Rauf Laghari: https://thebnm.org/foreign-department/24991/
Political Exclusion, Economic Exploitation, and Cultural Suppression Give Rise to Resistance: Dr. Mohammad Taqi
Columnist Dr. Mohammad Taqi highlighted the coercive nature of Pakistan’s annexation and ongoing militarisation of Balochistan. “If the state behaves like a thug, people will retreat to the mountains. Political exclusion, economic exploitation, and cultural suppression continue to drive resistance.”
He stressed the need for inter-provincial coordination among oppressed nations in Pakistan and the importance of constitutional guarantees. “We believe in the constitution, yet it has been undermined. True governance requires respect for all federating units, not repression.”
Full Speech of Dr. Mohammad Taqi : https://thebnm.org/programs/conferences/24981/
Protest and Photo Exhibition :
Outside the UN Office at the Broken Chair, BNM set up a protest camp and photo exhibition highlighting enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Images of victims were prominently displayed to draw attention to human rights abuses.
Speakers at the protest included BNM Junior Joint Secretary Hassan Dost, Central Committee member Haji Nasir, UK President Master Manzoor, Waheed Baloch, and Mehrah Baloch. They condemned Pakistani state atrocities, demanded international action, and stressed the urgency of justice for the disappeared.
BNM’s Three-Day Events in Geneva During the 60th UN Human Rights Council Session — Visual
During the 60th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, BNM activists organised a conference, protest, and photo exhibition.