Baloch photographers bear witness to their hardships and struggles during their protest in front of the CDH

Geneva (Switzerland), September 20 (ANI): During the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) organised a photo exhibition in front of the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, in front of the Broken Chair. The exhibition featured images submitted by Baloch photographers, aimed at presenting the harsh realities of Balochistan through their lenses.

A large number of people attended the exhibition on Wednesday, where BNM members raised awareness about the dire situation in Balochistan and how the Pakistani state continues to violate international law with impunity. The photo exhibition was part of BNM’s three-day campaign in Geneva, which began with the organization’s 5th International Conference on Monday, followed by a protest outside the UN Office on Tuesday, and concluded with the photo exhibition on Wednesday.

The exhibition generated considerable interest, highlighting the hardships and difficulties faced by the Baloch population. Visitors were treated to poignant images of the grave consequences of military operations, enforced disappearances and resource exploitation in the region.

Naseem Baloch, a BNM activist, said, “These war crimes and brutalities are not a recent phenomenon. They date back to 1948 when Pakistan occupied Balochistan by force. Since then, the Baloch people have been resisting this illegal occupation.” He pointed out that there is a strong independence movement among the Baloch masses, while Pakistan is trying to suppress this resistance through brutal policies. Large-scale military operations are currently being carried out across Balochistan by Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies, intensifying the struggle for autonomy and exacerbating the suffering of the local population.

Naseem Baloch also pointed out, “Today we can say that Balochistan is under military garrison and has been turned into a slaughterhouse. Every day, Baloch people – youth, women and men – are being killed, abducted or tortured. This is not a new phenomenon caused by Pakistani forces.” He also spoke about China’s involvement, saying, “The exploitation and brutality is being joined by China. Pakistan’s economy is being fueled by Chinese projects, which is enabling Pakistan to gain power through these initiatives. Thus, complicity in the genocide in Balochistan is being demonstrated by China through exploitative projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Sandak Gold Project. On one side, genocide is being committed, while on the other, resources are being plundered without the consent of our people.” » Naseem Baloch also criticised the Pakistani government, saying: “They have established a puppet government in the name of democracy, but we know, and the world knows, that Pakistan is run by the military. “There is no real democracy in our country, or in other parts of Pakistan. We are here to raise our voices around the world, especially at the UN Human Rights Council, to demand accountability from Pakistan for these human rights violations and heinous crimes.” The photo exhibition attracted considerable attention, providing a vivid portrayal of the miseries endured by the Baloch population. Visitors were given a visual glimpse of the devastating effects of military operations, disappearances and resource exploitation in the region.

Niaz Baloch, a member of the central committee of the Baloch National Movement, said, “As we stand in front of the United Nations building, we bring stories from Balochistan – stories that the world has ignored for decades, stories that no one in this modern world believes or has heard. Baloch photographers have sent us pictures; we wanted to present a real picture of Balochistan through their lenses.” He added, “Yesterday, we held a protest to highlight the human rights violations in Balochistan. The Baloch National Movement has launched a series of awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts in various forums to highlight the Baloch national issue and build alliances for Baloch national liberation. We hope that through our awareness campaign, we have brought these images to light and through the struggle of the Baloch National Movement, one day the Baloch nation will find its allies and achieve its freedom.” »The protest also garnered support from Uighur activists, who joined the Baloch in denouncing China’s role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The project links Balochistan’s Gwadar port to Xinjiang, where Uighurs have also faced severe state repression. (ANI)