UK: Protest against enforced disappearances in Balochistan

LONDON: A protest was held in London by the family of Taj Muhammad Sarparah Baloch to mark four years since his enforced disappearance and non-recovery by Pakistani intelligence agencies.

Many UK-based political activists participated in the protest, including men, women, and children. The protesters were holding placards with slogans for the recovery of Taj Muhammad Sarparah and thousands of other Baloch missing persons. They also raised slogans for the recovery of enforced disappeared persons in Balochistan.

On this occasion, his wife Salia Taj Muhammad said: “I have been protesting against the disappearance of my husband for four years. The enforced disappearance is torture for the whole family, including me; thousands of families in Balochistan are going through this torture.” She appealed to the British government to stop military aid to Pakistan, as this aid was being used for the genocide of the Baloch people.

It should be noted that Taj Muhammad Sarparah and his driver were forcibly disappeared from Karachi by Pakistani intelligence agencies on July 19, 2020, and since then, he has been missing, and his family has not been made aware of his whereabouts and well-being.

In January 2024, Taj Muhammad Sarparah’s family held a round-the-clock week-long sit-in vigil opposite 10 Downing Street to highlight his enforced disappearance and demand his immediate release.

Enforced disappearances in Balochistan have become a common practice by Pakistani security forces. Baloch human rights organizations say that thousands of Baloch have been disappeared, and their families continue to protest for their safe release.

The families of disappeared Baloch have held two long marches from Balochistan to Islamabad in their efforts to draw attention to the issue.

Preparations are also underway for a Baloch National Gathering (Baloch Raaji Muchi) against enforced disappearances, Baloch genocide, and ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan. The national gathering is scheduled to take place in Gwadar, Balochistan, on July 28, 2024.