| March Against Baloch Genocide by Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | December 2023 | ||
| Location | FromKech district, Balochistan toIslamabad, Pakistan | ||
| Caused by | Protest againstenforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan | ||
| Methods | Peaceful protest, long march, sit-in | ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Lead figures | |||
Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch women and activists Islamabad Inspector General (IG) DrAkbar Nasir Khan | |||
| The march was marked by resistance from authorities, with many protesters being detained. The issue was later taken up by theIslamabad High Court. | |||
TheMarch Against Baloch Genocide was a protest march led byMahrang Baloch and other Baloch women of theBaloch Yakjehti Committee in December 2023, who were marching towards the Pakistani capitalIslamabad to protesthuman rights violations andenforced disappearances inBalochistan. The march was a response to the growing number ofenforced disappearances andextrajudicial killings in the region.[5][6]
The march was spurred by the death of Balaach Mola Bakhsh in November 2023.[7] Bakhsh was arrested on November 20, with explosives in his possession according to theCounter Terrorism Department (CTD).[7] 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.[7] 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.[7] Local protests began, in an effort to make police file a report against the CTD personnel accused of Bakhsh's death.[7]
The Baloch March against Baloch Genocide was initiated by theBaloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a non-profit organization spearheaded by Mahrang Baloch and other prominent figures.[8]
The march began in Balochistan on December 6, 2023.[9] 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.[5]
They covered a distance of 1,600 kilometers, starting from the southernKech district near the Iranian border, all the way toIslamabad, Pakistan’s capital. They stopped along the way in places likeKalat,[10]Dera Ghazi Khan,[11] andDera Ismail Khan,[12] where they received support from the local residents.[7]
When the march reached Islamabad, authorities prevented the marchers from entering the capital, specifically the National Press Club.[9]
Jamaat-e-Islami’sSenator Mushtaq Ahmed visited the protest camp in Islamabad to show support for the Baloch demonstrators.[13]
In this march, theBaloch 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.[14]
The march saw resistance from authorities on its route to Islamabad.[10] Two participants were severely injured by police at a checkpoint in Soorab.[10] Obstacles were also put on roads by police in an attempt to stop the marchers.[10][7]
The response from the authorities in Islamabad was marked by resistance and force.[9] Police were dispatched to block China Chowk Underpass, Chongi No. 26, the Islamabad Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, Nazimuddin Road, andSrinagar Highway.[9] The general public was also restricted from using these routes.[9]
Despite the negotiations, the police refused to accept the demands of the protesters, resulting in a sit-in near Islamabad Chowk.[9] 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.[9] More than 200 protesters were subsequently arrested,[15] while others were forcibly dispersed by policewater cannons andtear gas.[12][16]
The arrested protesters were briefly detained, before authorities began sending them back toQuetta on buses.[16] Video of authorities forcibly putting some of the protesters on buses drew criticism on social media.[16] TheIslamabad High Court (IHC) later inquired why Baloch protesters in the federal capital were being "forcibly" sent back to their provinces.[17]