UK: Baloch Republican Party protest against Human Rights violations in Balochistan

LONDON: The Baloch Republican Party has held a protest demonstration outside the official residence of the British Prime Minister at number 10 Downing Street on Saturday.

A large number of the BRP activists and other human rights activists have participated in the protest to express their solidarity with the people of Balochistan and urge the international community including the UK to stop supporting Pakistan.

The activists of Free Balochistan Movement and renowned British Human Right campaigner Peter Tatchell also joined the BRP protest in London and condemned Pakistani state atrocities against Baloch people in Balochistan.

Peter Tatchell said that Baloch nation will win their freedom in time. He said that ‘People said tiny East Timor could never win its freedom against all-powerful Indonesia but they were wrong. East Timor fought its freedom and eventually forced out Indonesia. Today East Timor is a free and independent nation and so too would it be for Balochistan.’

In his address, Mr Tatchell added, “In time your freedom will come. Never give up the fight. Keep that heroic spirit alive because in the end you will win and Pakistan will be ousted.’

Mr Shabir Baloch a senior activist of Free Balochistan Movement said, ‘Pakistan started CPEC to strengthen its occupation over Balochistan.’

He said China is becoming a colonial power in the region and these colonial policies of Pakistan and China are aimed at turning the indigenous Baloch people into Red Indians and aborigines in Balochistan.

He said Baloch people are forcibly being expelled from their native towns and villages to appease China and pave way for CPEC. ‘Pakistan forces are conducting offensives, disappearances and other brutalities on daily basis in Balochistan. How can they call it development?’

He said, ‘No occupying power in the world has ever developed nations under their occupation. In fact, they brought in settlers from different regions to counter the struggle against occupation.

The protesters held placards and banners with one large banner reading, ‘BALOCHISTAN IS NOT PAKISTAN’ and other inscribed with different slogans about freedom of Balochistan, enforced disappearing, human rights violations.

The protester also chanted slogans demanding from the UK to stop supporting Pakistan, calling Pakistan ‘a terrorist state’ and stop killing Baloch people.

There were also placard against China’s presence in Balochistan which read, ‘China hands off Balochistan.’