The Parallel Fates of Syrian and Baloch Prisoners

By MB Marri

The sight of prisoners emerging from the dark, oppressive cells of Syrian prisons is both haunting and profoundly moving. Their faces, etched with pain yet brimming with resilience, tell stories of unimaginable suffering and unyielding endurance. Witnessing their release awakened deep emotions within me, stirring memories of countless others still missing and trapped in the darkness of torture cells. My thoughts turned immediately to my own people—the thousands of Baloch men, women, and children who continue to languish in the dungeons and torture chambers of Iranian and Pakistani forces.

The parallels between the struggles of the Syrian and Baloch people are striking. In the faces of those Syrian survivors, I see the silent cries of the missing Baloch—thousands of men, women, and even children—who have been forcibly disappeared and subjected to unspeakable brutality in Pakistan’s torture cells and executed in public by Iran. These stories of suffering and survival demand not just reflection but also urgent action and solidarity from all those who value human dignity and justice.

For decades, the Baloch people have endured unimaginable hardships at the hands of the Pakistani Punjab terrorist army and Iran internationally proscribed terrorist IRGC. Families have been torn apart, homes destroyed, and entire villages razed, as part of a systematic campaign to crush the Baloch struggle for freedom. Thousands have been abducted, tortured, or killed, while others have been silenced through fear. The situation grows worse with every passing day, and the world remains largely silent, allowing this cycle of oppression to continue unchecked.

Documentaries and films about Syrian prisons serve as powerful reminders of the resilience of the human spirit. They tell stories of survival, resistance, and the unwavering desire for freedom. These narratives transcend borders, uniting oppressed peoples across the globe in a shared struggle for justice and dignity. Watching these films, I felt deeply moved and inspired.

We, Baloch, and other oppressed nations under Iran and Pakistan’s oppression and tyranny should to seek out these stories and draw strength from them. They are more than tales of despair—they are lessons in resilience, courage, and the unshakable pursuit of liberty.

Let the experiences of those who endured and resisted in Syria become a source of strength for our own fight for a free and independent Balochistan. Let them remind us that, even in the face of the most harrowing oppression, the human spirit is unbreakable. Our struggle against the oppressive Pakistani Punjab Islamic Army and Iran theocratic state is not just political; it is a moral imperative—a fight for our very existence, identity, and culture.

The dream of an independent Balochistan is not merely a political aspiration; it is a necessity for our survival. It represents a homeland where dignity, justice, and freedom are the birthrights of every Baloch individual. It is a vision of a land where our children grow up free from fear, where our culture thrives, and where our voices are not silenced but celebrated.

But achieving this dream will not be easy. The forces we stand against are deeply entrenched, and their oppression is relentless. They seek to crush our will, erase our identity, and extinguish our hope. Yet, history has shown us that no tyrant, no matter how powerful, can suppress the collective will of a people determined to be free. The struggles of the Syrians and many other oppressed nations teach us that perseverance and unity are our greatest weapons against oppression.

We, the Baloch, should take inspiration from the stories of resilience in Syria and channel it into our own struggle for freedom. Let us remember the faces of those still missing, languishing in torture cells, and let their suffering ignite in us a fire that cannot be extinguished. We owe it to them—and to future generations of Baloch—to persevere, to resist, and to triumph.

Each step we take toward freedom brings us closer to reclaiming our homeland and restoring the dignity of our people. Our strength lies in our unity, in our shared vision, and in our unwavering commitment to justice. Let us stand together, as one voice, and remind the world that the Baloch people will not be silenced or subdued.

The time for freedom is not tomorrow or in the distant future—it is now. The sacrifices of those who came before us demand nothing less. Let us honour their memory by continuing the fight, knowing that a free and independent Balochistan is not just a dream but a goal within our reach.

Now is the time. Let us rise, let us resist, and let us achieve the freedom and independence we have long fought for. Together, we will build a Balochistan where our people thrive, our culture flourishes, and our future is secure. Let us fight for that day, for it is closer than we think.