During a protest organized by the Baloch National Movement (BNM) outside the United Nations office, Rahima Mahmut, a prominent Uyghur human rights advocate, voiced her support for the Baloch nation’s fight against persecution. The protest took place amid the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to raise awareness about the ongoing plight of the Baloch nation.
“I’m here representing the Uyghurs to show my solidarity with the people of Balochistan,” Mahmut declared. She highlighted the parallels between the Uyghurs’ oppression under the Chinese Communist Party and the Baloch nations’s persecution by Pakistan’s military. Drawing attention to China-Pakistan relations, she emphasized that projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are fueling Pakistan’s capacity to suppress Baloch citizens further.
“China is supporting Pakistan’s regime through projects like CPEC, alongside military and economic collaborations. This partnership fuels Pakistan’s ability to oppress,” Mahmut remarked.
In her closing statements, Mahmut called for unity among oppressed nations, urging joint efforts against their common oppressors. “We stand against the oppression of Pakistan, and ultimately, China,” she said, expressing hope for collective justice for both Uyghurs and Baloch nations.
