Ordinary Baloch men, women and children once again made history. For the first time in history of Balochistan a peaceful march was launched and successfully completed to highlight the fate of enforced-disappeared Baloch political prisoners. The 750 Kilometre long March from Shal (Quetta) to Karachi has opened a new chapter in Baloch struggle for freedom. This march is a testimony of Baloch stand and their resilience for their democratic rights. It is a plain vindication against the occupying states’ propaganda that Baloch do not resort to peaceful and democratic medium of struggle. On the contrary, Baloch struggle for their freedom and independence is peaceful and democratic whereas offensive of the illegal occupiers of Baloch homeland is violent and undemocratic. We (IVBMP) appreciate and feel proud of all individuals who took part in the March and supported it throughout 27 long and arduous days. We understand that it has been very difficult for the vice chairman of VBMP Mr Qadeer Baloch and other participants. Yet, this protest was worth every effort as it highlighted the plight of Baloch prisoners of conscience and prisoners of war. We also appreciate overwhelming support of Baloch nation including student organisations, pro-freedom political parties and leaders. Baloch nation stood united at this difficult hour to console the families of abducted persons. The commitment of VBMP team and the nation attracted a great number of other activists and human rights workers from other communities to come out and support the Baloch March for demanding their rights to live free and with dignity.The enthusiastic youth of diaspora also accompanied the VBMP long March by constantly tweeting and using other channels to inform the world about the March and issue of disappearances in Balochistan. Baloch March also has demonstrated that Pakistan, state, army and media share a common mind-set irrespective of who is the head of the state. They are fundamentally undemocratic and do not want the legitimate voice of Baloch to be heard outside Balochistan. They did not allow their media and international media to cover this historical March. We do call on International media including BBC, CNN, Channel 4 News, NDTV, Aljazeera, CBC and the rest of the print and electronic media to cover the grave human tragedy of the arbitrary arrest and disappearance of Baloch political and human rights activists. We call on United Nations, European Union, USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway and the rest of the civilised world to put more pressure on Pakistan to stop their enforced disappearances and kill and dump policy in Balochistan. The international community’s aids to Pakistan should be conditional and based on their adherence to principles of human rights, respect of democracy, transparency, accountability and unrestricted access of international human rights organizations and media to Balochistan. International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons United KingdomCanadaAustraliaSwedenNorway
