Conflict Alerts # 684, 5 December 2024
Vaneeta In the news
On 24 November, Dawn reported that the Chairman of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) Nasarullah Baloch along with Vice Chairman Mama Qadeer Baloch addressed a press conference highlighting the sit-in protest in Awaran against the disappearance of political activist Diljan Baloch. The protestors demanded Diljan’s return and a fair trial in court. Nasrullah said: “If he is innocent, he should be immediately released, and his family should be relieved of the mental anguish caused by his disappearance.” He informed that Deputy Commissioner Ayesha Zahri assured Diljan’s return within ten days.
On 24 November, a local newspaper, Balochwarna, reported that the sit-in protest, which began on 18 November, showed no sign of slowing down until Diljan Baloch is released.
On 23 November, security forces threatened the protestors with baton charges, and a curfew was imposed in the city.
On 27 November, ANI reported the eruption of another protest in the city of Hub in Balochistan against the forced disappearance of Chakar Khan Bugati.
Issues at large
First, continuing disappearances in Balochistan. The disappearances in Balochistan began during the 1973-1977 insurgency and it continued. The first case of disappearance was of Asad Mengal, son of former Chief Minister of Balochistan Atta Ullah Mengal, and his friend Ahmed Kurd in 1976. After Bhutto dissolved the provincial assembly of Balochistan in 1973, which instigated the insurgency, people disappeared without traces and were detained without fair trials. In October, PAANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), reported 110 disappearance cases. In September, 41 people were reported to have disappeared. Raids by security forces and associated agencies at houses, business centres and hospitals are resulting in increased abductions. Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances reported 10,285 cases until June 2024.
Second, continuing protests by the families and civil society. Protests by civil society groups and the family members of the abductees are not new. In November, more than two protests erupted against the disappearances. In December 2023, hundreds of Balochis walked to Islamabad, protesting against the same. On 28 July 2024, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) organised “Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering)” against the Baloch Genocide a term used by the BYC. Protests are predominantly against the lack of response from the authorities. Moreover, there is a advocacy camp set up by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP in Quetta which has been a sign of resistance for last 15 years.
Third, inefficient state response. Security forces and the state justify these disappearances in the name of counterinsurgency operations aimed at the country’s security. During the protests, police and security agencies often carry out unlawful violence, arbitrary arrests and detention of protesters. In 2023, Dawn reported that enforced disappearances have been a unique state policy to suppress any movements against the state in Balochistan. The state treats these protestors as criminals. The Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, Babu Ram Pant, said: “Every time Baloch protests take place, their demands are met with violence by security forces and mass arrests. We saw it in December last year at the Baloch Long March. We see it now again with the Baloch Raji Machi protests in what is clearly a punitive attempt by the Pakistani authorities to deter, vilify and criminalise peaceful protesters.”
Fourth, failure of the judiciary. In February 2024, during a petition hearing in Islamabad High Court directed to form a committee of directors general of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), and Military Intelligence (MI) to trace themissing students. However, the federal government argued against it, that the high court had exceeded its jurisdiction by stepping into the executive domain. This highlights the limitations and failure of the judiciary to enforce any decision. The judiciary failed to solve the problem and provide necessary legal support to the disappeared and their families. A Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIOED) was established in 2011. This commission received 10,285 cases until June. The government additionally established a Federal Task Force on Missing Per¬s¬ons in 2013. However, nobody has been held responsible. In June 2022, Dawn reported that the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah said about COIOEDon: “It has become obvious by now that it has not been able to effectively achieve its object. The commission is a burden on the exchequer, and it ought to justify its continued existence.”
In perspective
The enforced disappearances are likely to continue as solving the issue will not serve the interest of the state. The state uses enforced disappearances as a tactic to silence the society and suppress the Baloch National Movement. These disappearances are symbols of systematic abuse of power by the state under the guise of national security. There has been a lack of political will from the state to resolve the issues. Moreover, protests and civil society activism increased after 2020 in the form of larger organised political movements with the help of groups such as BYC and VBMP. The ongoing protests serve as a reminder of the injustice and pain suffered by the marginalized Baloch community.
The government's failure to address the issue and its violent response to the peaceful protests deepen resentment and trust deficits among the Balochis. These protests are a sign of the state's unwillingness to protect the Baloch community and its interests.