VBMP Announces To Host a Seminar About Enforced Disappearances in Balochistan
SHAAL (QUETTA): Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) has announced the launch of a new campaign to highlight enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Balochistan. The organisation will host a seminar on May 4 at the Quetta Press Club, bringing together families of missing persons, political representatives, student groups, lawyers, human rights activists, and members of civil society.
Speaking at a press conference, VBMP leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful and constitutional advocacy, stating that the organisation has been raising its voice against human rights abuses for the past sixteen years from a non-political platform.
The group demanded that all forcibly disappeared individuals be recovered, those accused of crimes be presented in court, and information about detainees who have died in custody be shared with their families.
The leaders stressed that the issue of Balochistan is political in nature and must be addressed through dialogue and democratic processes rather than through the use of force.
VBMP criticised state institutions for treating Balochistan purely as a security issue, accusing them of serious constitutional and human rights violations.
According to the organisation, thousands of people have been forcibly disappeared, some have been extra judicially killed, and many others have been subjected to torture.
The press conference also included strong condemnation of recent arrests of peaceful activists, including Baloch Yakjehti Committee head Dr. Mahrang Baloch, along with Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Shah Ji Sabghatullah, Beebarg Baloch and Ghafar Baloch.
VBMP stated that these individuals were detained under authoritarian laws such as the Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO), and have been denied the right to legal defence.
In closing, VBMP urged the government and state institutions to immediately cease the use of force and unconstitutional actions in Balochistan.
They called for the recovery of missing persons, the presentation of detainees in courts, and the unconditional release of all peaceful activists, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
