The mother of Rashid Hussain Baloch, a human rights activist who went missing in December 2018, has called for Pakistani authorities to release her son and end the ‘lifelong perdition’ that his disappearance has caused. She has been protesting for six consecutive days despite being weak and ailing.
Rashid Hussian Baloch was forcibly disappeared from Dubai by the Emirati forces in 2018. He was held in illegal custody for over six months before being deported to Pakistan, where he has not been seen or heard from since. Human rights organizations have expressed concern for his safety, but Pakistani authorities have refused to acknowledge that he is in their custody, despite evidence to the contrary. Rashid’s mother, sister, and young niece have been protesting for his safe return for over four years, but to no avail.
The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) completed its 5043rd day of protest on Sunday in the provincial capital Quetta, where Rashid’s mother spoke about the peaceful protest. She appealed to the authorities for her son’s safe release and remembered him with tearful eyes.
Mama Qadeer Baloch, the Vice-Chairman of VBMP, said that the families of the Baloch missing persons have been peacefully protesting for over two decades. The government has turned a deaf ear to their pleas, which demonstrates a lack of regard for the Baloch people. He called on the Baloch nation to unite and advocate for the release of their loved ones.
The missing persons’ issue in Balochistan has become a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of families left in limbo. The VBMP has been protesting for over 14 years, and despite several promises from the government, no progress has been made. Rashid’s mother’s protest, despite her age and health, underscores the families’ continued efforts to bring their loved ones home.