Baloch photographers tell stories of hardship and struggle during protest at UNHRC

A large number of people attended the exhibition on Wednesday, where BNM members informed the audience about the dire situation in Balochistan and how the Pakistani state is violating international law with impunity. The photo exhibition was part of BNM's three-day campaign in Geneva, which began with the organisation'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, vividly demonstrating the struggles and hardships faced by the Baloch population. Attendees were provided with poignant visual insights into the grave consequences of military operations, enforced disappearances and resource exploitation in the region.

BNM activist Naseem Baloch said, “These war crimes and acts of brutality are not recent events. They have been going on since 1948 when Pakistan forcefully occupied Balochistan. Since then the Baloch people have been resisting this illegal occupation.”

He highlighted that a significant independence movement is being witnessed among the Baloch people, while Pakistan is attempting to suppress this resistance through brutal policies. Large-scale military operations are currently being conducted by the Pakistani army and intelligence agencies throughout Balochistan, intensifying the struggle for autonomy and increasing the suffering of the local population.

Naseem Baloch further stressed, “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, kidnapped or tortured. This is not a new incident committed by the Pakistani army.”

Further, speaking on China's involvement, he said, “China is also getting involved in exploitation and brutality. Pakistan's economy is being run by Chinese projects, giving Pakistan power through these initiatives. Thus, China's complicity in the genocide of Balochistan is visible through exploitative projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Sandak Gold Project. On one hand, genocide is being committed, while on the other, resources are being plundered without the consent of our people.”

Naseem Baloch also criticized the Pakistani government, saying, “They have installed a puppet government in the name of democracy, but we know, and the world knows, that Pakistan is being run by military generals. There is no real democracy for us or in other parts of Pakistan. We are here to raise our voice across the world, especially during the United Nations Human Rights Council session, demanding accountability from Pakistan for these human rights violations and heinous crimes.”

The photo exhibition attracted considerable attention, vividly depicting the suffering faced by the Baloch population. Visitors got a visual insight into the devastating effects of military operations, disappearances and resource exploitation in the region.

Niaz Baloch, a central committee member of the Baloch National Movement, said, “When we stand in front of the UN building, we bring stories of Balochistan – stories that the world has ignored for decades, stories that no one believes or listens to in this modern world. Baloch photographers have sent us pictures; we wanted to present the true picture of Balochistan through their lenses.”

He further added, “Yesterday we organized a protest to bring the human rights violations in Balochistan to the world's attention. 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 a coalition 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 independence.”

The protests were also supported by Uighur activists, who joined the Baloch in condemning China's role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which links Balochistan's Gwadar port to Xinjiang, where Uighurs have similarly faced severe government repression.