Free Balochistan Movement protests and awareness campaigns put Balochistan in spotlight

LONDON: The Free Balochistan Movement organized awareness campaigns and protest demonstrations in various cities in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom to highlight the struggles of the Baloch people to the wider world.

It is important to remember that Balochistan’s independence was formally recognized after the British withdrawal from the subcontinent. Balochistan had established its Dar-ul-Awam and Dar-ul-Amra (Houses of Commons and House of Lords) and operated as an independent country.

However, just nine months after gaining independence, Pakistan began plotting to occupy Balochistan, purportedly in the name of religion. However, the main motive for Pakistan’s aggression was to gain access to strategic corridors and passages to safeguard its interests and assert control over maritime borders.

The imperialist powers supported Pakistan’s aggression, disregarding the pleas of the Baloch sovereign for assistance, despite having defence treaties with Balochistan.

Balochistan remained an independent state from August 11, 1947, until March 27, 1948, when Pakistan forcibly occupied it and released an annexation document.

Despite this occupation, the Baloch nation never accepted it and initiated political agitation and armed resistance to defend their sovereignty and reclaim independence. The Baloch struggle for national liberation continues to this day and is gaining momentum.

Protests on March 23 in Germany: The Free Balochistan Movement’s Germany Chapter organized a protest on March 27, Balochistan Occupation Day, as directed by the party’s central executive.

Pro-freedom activists from Al-Ahvaz and Kurdistan also joined the demonstration. Participants emphasized that despite 76 years of illegal occupation by Pakistan, the Baloch national movement for freedom persists. They condemned Pakistan’s occupation and subsequent human rights violations as contrary to the United Nations Charter and conventions, urging the free and democratic world to support the Baloch struggle for independence.

March 27 in the Netherlands: The FBM (Netherlands) branch held a protest at Dam Square in Amsterdam on March 27.

Alongside Free Balochistan Movement members, Baloch political activists from the Netherlands and Pashtun activists participated in the protest to support the Baloch struggle.

 Protesters carried placards, banners, and flags of Balochistan, denouncing Pakistan’s atrocities against the Baloch people.

Speakers highlighted the political, social, and economic exploitation of Balochistan after the occupation, expressing concerns about ongoing human rights violations and the genocide of the Baloch people.

They emphasized the need to continue the struggle with sincerity and good intentions to end the oppression by Pakistan and Iran in Balochistan, urging the international community to support the Baloch people in their quest for freedom.

March 27 in the United Kingdom: The Free Balochistan Movement UK branch protested opposite 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister in London, on March 27.

Rasheed Baloch, organiser of the FBM UK Chapter, explained to the media that the purpose of the protests was to raise awareness among the British people about Pakistan’s occupation of Balochistan and how Britain, after occupying Balochistan, divided it into three parts between Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.

He stressed that the Baloch people have never accepted the illegal occupation and forcible merger of their country. Activists also urged the British people to demand that their government adhere to the 1876 agreement and support Balochistan’s independence in all possible ways.

According to the treaty of 1876, Britain is obligated to provide political, military, financial, and moral support to Balochistan against external attacks. Protesters chanted slogans urging the UK to cease supporting Pakistan and advocating for a free Balochistan.

March 27 in the United States of America: Free Balochistan Movement activists distributed pamphlets and brochures to the public as part of an awareness campaign on Balochistan Occupation Day, March 27, in several states of the United States, including Washington DC, Virginia, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Philadelphia.

They informed people about Pakistani state oppression, tyranny, and the ongoing Baloch genocide. The activists engaged with the general public and distributed pamphlets at universities to raise awareness about the plight of the Baloch nation.

The informational handouts highlighted the oppression of the Baloch people by the Pakistani and Iranian states, urging the international media to help shed light on the suffering and plight of the Baloch nation.

The Vidoes of FBM protests are uploaded on Aajoi TV Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/AAJOITV