The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) has issued a stark condemnation of what it calls the ongoing genocide of the Baloch people, highlighting the need for a united and collective mass movement to combat the “state’s genocidal policies”.
In a statement released on the anniversary of the discovery of mass graves in Tootak, Khuzdar, the BWF denounced the continuing victimisation of the Baloch, citing the brutal tactics employed by state institutions to suppress the Baloch national identity, culture, and people.
The Baloch genocide, according to the BWF, has remained unrelenting for decades, with its methods constantly evolving. The organisation highlighted the direct and indirect victimisation of the Baloch people, such as forced abductions, torture, and extrajudicial killings—all part of the systematic effort to erase the Baloch presence from their land. The BWF pointed to the wave of enforced disappearances that gained momentum in the early 21st century and the subsequent discovery of mass graves, particularly the grave found in Tootak, Khuzdar, in January 2014.
On 25 January 2014, three separate mass graves were uncovered in the Tootak region, containing the remains of approximately 169 unidentified Baloch victims—all of whom had previously been subjected to enforced disappearances. Reports confirmed that local militias, under the direction of military authorities, were involved in the abductions and torture of these victims. These tragic discoveries have shed light on the continuing atrocities faced by the Baloch, with the BWF warning that such grim findings could be repeated in other areas of Balochistan, including similar graves found in Mastung.
The BWF also raised alarms about the media blackout in Balochistan, which has allowed such brutalities to remain largely unreported. The forum expressed concern that many cases of forced abduction and other forms of state violence go unnoticed due to the controlled narrative. Certain Baloch areas have become “no-go zones,” where the situation remains murky and tensions run high, further silencing the voices of resistance.
Despite these challenges, the Baloch Women Forum called for unity in the face of overwhelming oppression. “We believe that the Baloch deserve a life filled with opportunities and dignity, not to be forcibly abducted and discarded in mass graves,” said a spokesperson for the BWF. “A collective and united mass movement is the only way to counter such genocidal policies. The power lies with the masses, no matter the might of the state.”
The BWF reiterated its commitment to resisting the state’s formula of “Baloch land, not people”, which seeks to remove the Baloch from their ancestral lands while denying them basic rights and freedoms. With the growing number of forced abductions and fake encounters, the BWF called on all Baloch masses to stay united in these difficult times to challenge the oppressive forces and to push for justice for the victims of the ongoing genocide.
In conclusion, the Baloch Women Forum urged both the national and international communities to support the Baloch struggle for justice and human rights, emphasising that only through unity and collective resistance can the people hope to overcome the long-standing campaign of violence and suppression.