The Baloch American Congress (BASC) has thrown its weight behind a crucial campaign led by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), expressing grave concern over a disturbing trend: the rising number of enforced disappearances involving Baloch women. This endorsement highlights the growing international alarm over human rights violations in the troubled Balochistan region of Pakistan.
BASC's Strong Statement of Support
In a powerful statement released recently, the BASC officially declared its support for the BYC's ongoing campaign, which seeks to draw global attention to the plight of missing Baloch individuals. The organization specifically underscored the escalating and particularly alarming nature of cases where Baloch women are being forcibly taken away. The BASC statement did not mince words, directly accusing the Pakistani state and its intelligence agencies of being responsible for these acts, which it categorizes as severe human rights abuses.
The Congress pointed out that these enforced disappearances are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign of oppression aimed at silencing dissent and instilling fear within the Baloch community. By targeting women, the BASC argues, the authorities are striking at the very heart of Baloch society, aiming to break its spirit and resistance.
Details of the Campaign and Accusations
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee's campaign has been actively documenting and protesting against enforced disappearances for a significant period. The BASC's backing adds a substantial diaspora voice to this domestic struggle. The statement from the Baloch American Congress elaborates on the tactics employed, alleging that Pakistani forces conduct illegal raids on homes, often during the night, to abduct Baloch activists, students, and intellectuals.
Furthermore, the BASC condemned what it describes as a "kill-and-dump" policy, where the bodies of the disappeared are later found bearing marks of severe torture. This pattern, they assert, is a clear indicator of extrajudicial killings. The organization emphasized that the international community must no longer turn a blind eye to these atrocities and called for immediate intervention to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Broader Implications and Call for Action
The support from the Baloch American Congress signals a strengthening of transnational advocacy networks focused on Baloch human rights. It moves the issue from a national to an international platform, increasing pressure on the Pakistani government. The BASC's statement serves as a direct appeal to global human rights bodies, foreign governments, and the United Nations to investigate these crimes.
The situation in Balochistan remains one of the most pressing human rights crises in South Asia. The deliberate targeting of women, as highlighted by the BASC, represents a dangerous escalation in the conflict. It challenges fundamental norms of international humanitarian law and demands a concerted global response. The campaign supported by the BASC seeks not just answers for individual families but justice for an entire community living under the shadow of fear and state-sponsored violence.
As the Baloch Yakjehti Committee continues its brave work on the ground, endorsements from influential diaspora groups like the Baloch American Congress are crucial for amplifying their message. The world is now being urged to witness and act against the enforced disappearances of Baloch women and the broader cycle of violence in Balochistan.
