Press Release: Vancouver, July 17, 2011 – International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons – Canada (IVBMP) and Baloch Human Rights Council –Canada (BHRC) jointly organized an event in Vancouver, Canada to honour the Baloch martyrs who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of Balochistan. Aziz Baloch, Vice President BHRC (Canada) and Coordinator IVBMP (Canada) hosted the event and said, “Much of the Baloch history has been distorted by occupation forces of Pakistan and Iran. The history textbooks taught at universities, colleges, and schools in these states present Balochistan and its peoples’ culture, history, and heritage to serve the interests of the colonizers. Baloch scholars such as Prof. Saba Dashtyari challenged these fallacious views of the establishment, presented the world with the true knowledge, and ended up target killed on the streets of Quetta. Regardless of that, today, politically conscious Baloch masses from all walks of life around the world and in Balochistan are paying rich tributes to the fallen Baloch heroes and the martyrs because they have laid down their precious lives solely for free and democratic Balochistan. Ayeisha Narouie Baloch, an active member of IVBMP and BHRC – Canada daughter of late Basir Baloch an educator and producer of Balochi Radio Kabul, Afghanistan, reminded the audience and said, “Our nation, throughout its history, fought against the forceful occupation until today. This is the reason why they have been embracing martyrdoms instead of slavery.” “History has proven that a nation when consciously sacrifices her sons and daughters for her land and identity; such a nation will never be defeated,” She said.Khuda Bakhsh Baloch, Secretary General, Baloch Community of British Columbia and an active member of IVBMP and BHRC – Canada, concluded the event by reading the Baloch historian and revolutionary poet Mir Gul Khan Nasir’s poem Dewan at the meeting. Mir Gul Khan Nasir, the national poet of Balochistan, has awakened his entire nation from slumber of slavery with the thunder of his patriotic verses. The poet called upon the Baloch nation to make a promise to their beloved homeland to remain mindful of the fact that as long as they are living under occupation, their real worth is no more than slaves are. He stressed in his poetry that freedom is the only path that abolishes slavery completely. In addition, such a high aimed goal can only be achieved through national unity so that Baloch can once again be the master of its own destiny. Indeed, we believe only through unity we can overcome all the challenges and Baloch nation will be free and can be its own master. Aziz Baloch, Coordinators, IVBMP-Canada Vice President BHRC (Canada[u][size=large]Speech By Ayesheh Baloch:[/size][/u]Today we have gathered here to pay tribute to our heroes and to the martyred. They sacrificed their precious lives, resisted occupation, and left a lasting legacy for the coming generations to carry on the struggle for freedom. Some of us may ask how long the road to victory is. All I can say is that no matter how beautiful the thought of the final victory may appear but it is the sum total of our everyday achievements that make that outcome possible. As long as there is resistance, we stand undefeated. This is what weakens the resolve of our enemy and gives strength to our nation to move on. Our martyrs have paid a heavy price for the everyday battles fought on the streets, hills, colleges, and torture chambers to reach where we stand today.Malcolm X said, “If you do not stand for something you will fall for anything.” To be a free nation, we will have to resist occupation and repression in all its forms – cultural, social, political, and also learn to defend ourselves from the military aggressions of the occupier. In history, Baloch nation has lost and won many battles but we have always collectively survived our heritage and identity as a people. This is victory. It proves our determination to be a free nation against all odds. From Khan Mehrab Khan to Mir Dost Mohammad Baranzai, the Baloch nation has fiercely resisted the British Empire and Qajar rulers – and from Mir Nauroze Khan to Akbar Khan Bugti, the people of Balochistan have challenged the Pakistani occupation forces.The names of Baloch martyrs stands tall, including Nawab Nauroze Khan and his sons, Nura Mengal, Lawang Khan, and leaders of Baloch Students organization, such as Assad Baloch, Shafee Baloch, Omer Baloch, Hameed Baloch, Majeed Langov, and Fida Baloch, all of whom paid the ultimate price for the freedom of Balochistan.Since 2004, the ongoing fifth Pakistani military operation has opened a new chapter of atrocities against the civilians across Balochistan. Pakistani army generals martyred pro-independence nationalist Baloch leaders, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, Mir Balaach Marri. In 2009, the Pakistani military intelligence and paramilitary forces martyred Mir Ghulam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir, Sher Mohammed, Abdul Ghaffar Langov, and professor Saba Dashtyari. Among the fallen heroes are the young Journalists and students, Lala Hameed, Siddique Eido, Ilyas Nazar, and Qambar Chakar. Up until now, hundreds of students, human rights and political activists, teachers, doctors and innocent Baloch children, men, and women have been martyred.Since 2005, Pakistan and Iran have been engaged in brutal atrocities against Baloch civilians, including extra judicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, summary military executions inside prisons, public hangings, and in custody deaths of Baloch students and political activists. In the past seven years, 13,000 Baloch went missing across Balochistan, abducted by Pakistani security forces and of which 180 bullet-riddled bodies that have been discovered dumped in ditches and wilderness.Baloch nation’s message to the United Nations, human rights organizations, and the International Community is clear – take immediate action now to stop the crimes against humanity in Balochistan. Baloch nation believes that it is the fundamental right of every nation to decide its own future according to the U.N. and International law. Baloch nation is determined to achieve its historic identity and freedom and it would not allow the brutal regimes of Pakistan and Iran to treat them as slaves forever.The Baloch struggle for freedom will continue until the world bodies recognize their legitimate right to freedom. All the atrocities and inhuman treatment of our people shall fail to derail our struggle. The victory will be ours and the dreams of our national heroes and martyrs shall be realized one day. For as long as you are not defeated, you are victorious.Long live free and united Balochistan.
