Protests have been held in United States, Netherlands and across different cities of Balochistan against alleged murder of prominent Baloch leader Karima Baloch.
In New York, protestors gathered in front of Consulate General of Canada on Tuesday to demand thorough and independent investigation into the mysterious death of Karima Baloch. The protest was called by Baloch National Movement (BNM), a pro-independence political organisation from Balochistan that has branches in different countries of the world. Karima Baloch had recently joined the BNM.
A similar protest was also held in front of Canadian embassy in Netherland’s city Hague, in which a large number of activists including women and children participated. The call for this protest was also given by BNM.
Whereas, in Balochistan protests have continued since the news of Karima Baloch’s death was reported. So far thousands have taken to streets across different cities of Balochistan, carrying placards and banners and chanting calls of justice for the deceased activist and demanding a fair and transparent inquiry on her death.
A protest was held in Jaffar Abad, Balochistan on Tuesday. Several students participated in the protest and called for the alleged murder to be investigated.
Despite threats, scores also rallied in town centre of Tump, the hometown of Baloch leader Karima Baloch on Wednesday. Majority of the participants of the rally were women and children, who chanted slogans such as “we want justice”.
Protests were also held today in Mastung and Besema.
Karima Baloch’s dead body was found from Toronto, Canada on 21st December. Her family and Baloch political factions claim that she has been murdered, but the officials in the Toronto police department have termed her death as “non-criminal.”
Karima Baloch’s family members and political parties of Balochistan have rejected Toronto police’s initial report and have called for further investigation into the mysterious death.
Series of Further Protests:
In Balochistan majority of protests have been organised by Baloch Solidarity Committee, a “non-partisan movement campaigning for human rights of inhabitants of Balochistan”.
The leaders of Baloch Solidarity Committee held a press conference on Wednesday in Quetta press club and announced a “series of further protests” against what they called the “use of state apparatus against the peaceful protests.”
They said that the state authorities have been harassing and stopping Baloch civilians from holding peaceful gatherings to protest against “murder of their national leader”.
Baloch Solidarity Committee alleged that state authorities used power to stop the public from holding protests in Awaran, Tump, Mashkel and Zamuran.
They termed such measures as “violation of basic civic rights of the public.”
The Committee announced a series of protests against the “unconstitutional acts and curtailment of freedom of speech by state authorities”. It said the first of such protests will be held in Quetta on 2nd January 2021 and further protests will be carried out in other cities of Balochistan.