In a notable development within the UK Parliament, a motion addressing the human rights situation in Balochistan has garnered support from nine MPs across various parties.
Labour MP John McDonnell tabled the motion on 19 December 2023. It commends the bravery of Baloch women leading a march to Islamabad in protest against enforced disappearances, abductions, and killings associated with the operations of Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan.
The motion, titled “Long March in Balochistan,” has received backing from various MPs. Co-sponsors include Rachael Maskell (former UK Shadow Minister of Defence), Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party), Labour MPs Mary Kelly Foy and Nadia Whittome, and Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party).
Additional support comes from Chris Stephens (SNP), Apsana Begum (Labour), and Independent MP Jonathan Edwards, demonstrating a bipartisan acknowledgment of the Balochistan issue.
The motion calls on the UK government to express its concerns about the violation of fundamental human rights in Balochistan and the violent attacks on Baloch protesters by the police to the Pakistani government.
The cross-party support from Labour, SNP, and DUP marks an important step in drawing international attention to the Balochistan issue. It signifies a growing global concern over the state’s reported response to the protests and the broader human rights situation in Balochistan.