Why Are Baloch Activists Protesting in the Netherlands?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Baloch National Movement's protest in Utrecht, Netherlands, draws attention to the severe military actions by Pakistan in Balochistan. Activists demand justice and international intervention to halt the ongoing atrocities. This event highlights the urgent need for global awareness of the humanitarian crisis facing the Baloch people.
Key Takeaways
- Baloch National Movement protests highlight ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.
- The Pakistani Army's actions have led to numerous civilian casualties and enforced disappearances.
- International silence has emboldened military aggressions.
- The BNM calls for immediate global intervention and support for the Baloch people.
- Awareness campaigns in major cities aim to expose the humanitarian crisis.
Amsterdam, Oct 22 (NationPress) The Baloch National Movement (BNM) organized a protest on Wednesday in Utrecht, Netherlands, to denounce the escalating violence perpetrated by the Pakistani Army in the Zehri region of Balochistan.
The demonstration aimed to shed light on the harsh military operations targeting civilians, including brutal raids and drone strikes that have claimed numerous lives, particularly among women and children.
Participants, comprising BNM members and human rights advocates, displayed placards denouncing the Pakistani Army’s aggressions, enforced disappearances, and rampant human rights abuses in Balochistan.
The BNM reported that a strict curfew has been enforced by the Pakistani Army in Zehri and surrounding areas for several days.
“Hundreds of civilians have been forcibly abducted. Homes have been invaded, residents taken away, and civilian movement has been entirely restricted. Additionally, media coverage and internet access have been suspended, severely hampering efforts to gather accurate information from the impacted regions,” stated the BNM.
During the protest, speakers highlighted that decades of Pakistani military aggression in Balochistan have shattered thousands of families, while international organizations have largely remained silent.
This silence, they argued, has emboldened the aggressors to commit further atrocities and warned that without swift action from the global community, the situation could deteriorate even more.
On the previous day, the BNM had conducted an awareness campaign outside the White House in the United States, distributing pamphlets that spotlighted the ongoing human rights violations and the alarming situation in Zehri.
The pamphlet characterized Pakistan as a “terrorist state” exploiting the natural resources of the Baloch and other marginalized nations. It accused Pakistan of leveraging Balochistan's geostrategic value and wealth for international political and economic benefits, which the pamphlet claimed is a primary reason for the silence of Western powers regarding the crimes committed by Pakistan’s military and political leadership.
“This inhumane complicity must cease,” declared the pamphlet.
The BNM reiterated its commitment to persist in its peaceful and democratic endeavor to raise international awareness about the plight in Balochistan and to expose Pakistan's ongoing violations against the Baloch people.
Moreover, a protest was also held in Hanover, Germany, against Pakistan’s military actions, drone strikes, and severe human rights violations in Balochistan.
Demonstrators carried banners demanding justice for victims and a prompt end to military aggression.
Focusing on the situation in Zehri, the BNM asserted that the region has faced continuous bombardment for over a month, with communication severed, curfews imposed, and humanitarian access obstructed.
They called upon the European Union, the United Nations, and other international bodies to dispatch a fact-finding mission to the area.
Point of View
I stand with the Baloch National Movement's call for justice and accountability. The ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan demand urgent international attention. It is imperative that we amplify the voices of those affected and advocate for their rights and dignity.
NationPress
22/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the BNM protest in the Netherlands?
The protest was sparked by the escalating violence and military aggressions by the Pakistani Army in the Zehri region of Balochistan, including brutal raids and drone strikes.
What are the main demands of the BNM?
The BNM demands justice for victims of military aggression, an end to enforced disappearances, and international intervention to address human rights violations in Balochistan.
What actions have been taken by the Pakistani Army in Zehri?
The Pakistani Army has imposed curfews, conducted military raids, and restricted civilian movement in Zehri, leading to numerous enforced disappearances and casualties.
How is the international community responding?
The international community has largely remained silent, which protesters argue has emboldened further military actions and human rights abuses in Balochistan.
What is the significance of the BNM's awareness campaign in the U.S.?
The BNM's awareness campaign outside the White House aimed to draw international attention to the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan and to pressure global leaders to take action.
