For over 16 years, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) has maintained a continuous protest in Quetta, now on its 5,864th day. This long-running hunger strike, one of South Asia's longest, highlights the families' belief that the state systematically enforces disappearances in Balochistan
Families in Quetta continue their relentless protest, demanding justice for thousands of Baloch men and youths allegedly subjected to enforced disappearances by the state in Balochistan. File Pic.
The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) protest encampment in Quetta marked its 5,864th consecutive day on Friday, highlighting what families describe as the state’s systematic practice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. This information was reported by The Balochistan Post.
According to ANI, this hunger strike camp, which has been ongoing for over 16 years, is one of the longest-lasting protests in South Asia. Family members of those forcibly disappeared continue to gather daily, seeking justice for thousands of Baloch men and youths reportedly taken by Pakistani security forces.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Khuda Bakhsh Baloch, Noor Muhammad Baloch, and Nazir Ahmad Baloch from Kalat visited the camp to show their support for the victims’ families.
During the gathering, Mama Qadeer Baloch, Vice Chairman of the VBMP, stated that “enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and constraints on civil liberties have become ingrained in Balochistan,” as reported by The Balochistan Post.
He further remarked, “These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a broader agenda that has devastated generations.” He added, “Behind every missing individual is a mother who continues to wait and a child who still holds hope.”
Mama Qadeer accused state forces of not only targeting civilians but also allowing non-state armed groups to operate in various areas, reportedly to suppress democratic movements and intimidate the population, reported ANI.
He also mentioned that military operations have escalated in regions such as Makran, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Mastung, Bolan, Mach, Harnai, and Dukki, leaving local residents fearful and in a state of legal uncertainty.
Meanwhile, he urged the United Nations and international human rights organisations to take action, asserting that the global community’s inaction has encouraged further violations.
“The world observes, yet it does not respond. This silence is not neutral, it is lethal,” he stated.
Although the United Nations and other human rights organisations have previously expressed concerns about incidents in Balochistan, the VBMP argues that there have still been no significant international investigations or accountability measures taken by them.
“The Baloch are stripped of even the right to mourn with dignity,” Mama Qadeer said, demanding urgent and independent inquiries into the numerous cases of missing persons across the region, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
(With inputs from ANI)
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