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Baloch Long March

The March Against Baloch Genocide is an ongoing protest movement led by Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch women, who are marching towards Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to protest human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The march was a response to the growing number of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region.

Background

The march was spurred by the death of Balaach Mola Bakhsh in November 2023. Bakhsh was arrested on November 20, with explosives in his possession according to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). He appeared in court on November 21, but was killed on November 23 in what the CTD said was a confrontation between police and a militant group. Bakhsh's family rejected the CTD's report, saying that Bakhsh was abducted from his home on October 29, and was killed on November 23 by the CTD. Local protests began, in an effort to make police file a report against the CTD personnel accused of Bakhsh's death.

Organization

The Baloch March against Baloch Genocide was initiated by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a non-profit organization spearheaded by Mahrang Baloch and other prominent figures.

The March

The march began in Balochistan on December 6, 2023. The movement involved hundreds of women who had lost their husbands, brothers, and sons and decided to voice their concerns publicly. The demonstrators had explicit requests: they demanded a halt to forced disappearances and unlawful killings, and they sought accountability for those implicated in the unlawful killings of Baloch youth.

They covered a distance of 1,600 kilometers, starting from the southern Kech district near the Iranian border, all the way to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. They stopped along the way in places like Kalat, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Dera Ismail Khan, where they received support from Baloch residents.

When the march reached Islamabad, authorities prevented the marchers from entering the capital, specifically the National Press Club.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed visited the protest camp in Islamabad to show support for the Baloch demonstrators.

Baloch Yakjehti Committee's March Initiatives and Declarations

In this march, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) organized an International Oppressed People Conference. Additionally, the BYC launched its inaugural booklet titled "Marching Beyond Silence, unveiling the courageous struggle against the Baloch Genocide." During the 5th phase of the march, a significant public gathering was held in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. At this event, the BYC declared January 25th as the Day of Baloch Genocide and introduced the Baloch Genocide symbol.

Response from authorities

The march saw resistance from authorities on its route to Islamabad. Two participants were severely injured by police at a checkpoint in Soorab. Obstacles were also put on roads by police in an attempt to stop the marchers.

Islamabad

The response from the authorities in Islamabad was marked by resistance and force. Police were dispatched to block China Chowk Underpass, Chongi No. 26, the Islamabad Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, Nazimuddin Road, and Srinagar Highway. The general public was also restricted from using these routes.

Despite the negotiations, the police refused to accept the demands of the protesters, resulting in a sit-in near Islamabad Chowk. Police also offered protesters the use of F-9 Park, but this was turned down, with the marchers saying they, not the police, would decide where the protest was staged. More than 200 protesters were subsequently arrested, while others were forcibly dispersed by police water cannons and tear gas.

The arrested protesters were briefly detained, before authorities began sending them back to Quetta on buses. Video of authorities forcibly putting some of the protesters on buses drew criticism on social media. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) later inquired why Baloch protesters in the federal capital were being "forcibly" sent back to their provinces.