Seattle, October 2 (Daily Kiran) : Activists from the Baloch National Movement (BNM) staged a protest in Seattle, Washington, to raise awareness about serious human rights violations occurring in Balochistan, Pakistan. The demonstrators highlighted military actions against Baloch citizens and bombings in various regions of the province.
During the protest, speakers urged American citizens to voice their concerns regarding the ongoing human rights abuses in Balochistan. They claimed that U.S. taxpayer money is indirectly supporting the Pakistani military through financial aid to Pakistan.
The speakers pointed to the loss of life among Baloch civilians due to the operations and bombings carried out by Pakistani security forces. They called on the U.S. government to reevaluate its relationship with Pakistan and the aid it provides, insisting that any assistance should be conditioned on respect for human rights.
The protestors emphasized the need for the international community, particularly the United States, to take responsibility in preventing alleged human rights violations in Balochistan and to protect the fundamental rights of the Baloch people.
Earlier, members of the BNM expressed serious concerns about the human rights situation in Balochistan during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. They raised issues regarding the Pakistani military’s airstrikes in Surab, Jahri, and Chilton, as well as the plight of Baloch women and girls.
Mahran Baloch, a BNM member, drew attention to the situation of Baloch women and girls, alleging that their fundamental rights are being severely violated by Pakistani authorities. These violations include enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on peaceful political expression.
Mahran stated that Baloch women have played a vital role in ongoing movements demanding justice and accountability. However, the emotional, social, and economic impact of enforced disappearances and killings of family members continues to affect many women.
She stressed the need to protect and respect the voices, rights, and participation of Baloch women in public life. Mahran characterized the actions of Pakistani authorities as “state terrorism” and called on the UNHRC to ensure independent monitoring of Balochistan. She also appealed for transparent investigations into human rights violations and for the protection of those who speak out against such abuses.
During the UNHRC session, BNM member Ahmed Baloch expressed concern over the use of airstrikes against civilians in Balochistan. He alleged that a Pakistani military airstrike on September 12, 2026, in Surab resulted in the deaths of six civilians, including a woman and a two-year-old child. According to Ahmed, nine others were injured in the attack, most of whom were young children.
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