Free Balochistan Movement protests on the anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests

LONDON/BERLIN: The Free Balochistan Movement held simultaneous protests in London United Kingdom and Potsdam Germany on 28^th May to record their protest on the anniversary of Pakistan’s Nuclear tests in Occupied Balochistan 24 years ago.

Pakistan commemorates this day as ‘Youm-e-Takbir’ or day of ‘greatness’ but the Baloch nation marks it as ‘Youm-e-Aasrokh’ a day of ‘sorrow’ and holds Pakistan responsible for committing a war crime for deliberately choosing Balochistan to test the nuclear bomb.

In the UK the protest was held in front of PM House at 10 downing street in London. A large number of Baloch political activists and members of FBM participated in the demonstration.

The FBM activists distributed pamphlets to create awareness among people about the current grave human rights situation in Balochistan and particularly the impact of nuclear tests on wildlife, climate and human life in the Chaghi area.

Talking to the media the Free Balochistan Movement UK organiser Rasheed Baloch said that it was common among the colonisers to destroy and exploit the colonised nations and their land mercilessly.

He said, ‘Despite having a vast land in Punjab, Pakistan and its army took an unprecedented act in the history of colonisers by choosing Balochistan for its dirty and lethal nuke tests. Pakistan has also destroyed the lives of all species in Balochistan by testing its nuclear bombs in the Raskoh area of district Chagai Balochistan. Since the lethal nuclear bomb tests in this area, Pakistan has never taken any protective measures to save the lives of the residents from the effects of nuclear radiation and waste.’

He added that the fauna and flora in this area of Chaghi and the surrounding areas are severely affected, the newborn children are born disabled with affected limbs, and the drinking water is toxic and fatal as the result of the nuke tests and radiation.

‘Various diseases including thyroid cancers, skin cancer, and gynecological diseases are common in Chagai and the surrounding areas of the region which are the direct result of nuclear radiation. Pakistan is reluctant to allow the concerned international agencies to inspect the site and measure the radiation effects,’ Mr Baloch explained.

While In Germany a protest rally was held in Potsdam City. The rally started from Potsdam Central Station and marched through different streets before reaching Luinz Platz. During the demonstration, several speakers including Mohammad Faris Baloch, Abdul Jabbar Baloch, Aadil Baloch Abubakar Baloch, Shakeel, Abdul Sattar and Naveed Baloch highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan and spoke about the impacts of Pakistan’s test and its aftermath in Balochistan.

In Germany, also the FBM members distributed pamphlets and chanted slogans during the protest rally. The participants carried banners and placards with their demands and the purpose of the protest rally.

Furthermore, the speakers shed light on the aftermath of the nuclear tests and how these tests have impacted the lives of residents of Chaghai in particular.

The speakers further said that the silence of the international community and civilised world on the ongoing human rights situation in Balochistan was emboldening repressive states like Pakistan and Iran to continue the human rights violations and to suppress the Baloch voices for freedom.