U.S. Baloch Hold Demonstration, Show Solidarity With Lateef Johar

Members of the Baloch community in the Pacific Northwest region of North America held a peaceful demonstration here on Monday to protest latest disappearances in Balochistan. Gathered at the city’s busiest and central location – the West Lake Center – the protestors held pictures of political activists disappeared by Pakistani security agencies while holding placards and signs in support of the victims.

The protestors said their purpose was to highlight the plight of Baloch people in Pakistan and raise awareness about the human rights situation in Balochistan.

Baloch Dorruazi, an organizer of the event, said the purpose of this demonstration was to bring to people’s attention the enforced disappearance of Zahid Baloch, a political activist believed to be in the custody of Pakistani security agencies.

Mr. Baloch, who also heads the student group Baloch Student Organzation–Azad, was reportedly picked by the Pakistani security forces on March 18 in broad daylight and in the presence of several eyewitness. His whereabouts remain unknown.

Meanwhile, another member of BSO–Azad has been on a hunger strike in front of Karachi Press Club since April 22. Lateef Johar, a young man in his early 20s, is protesting the disappearance of his leader and is determined to continue his protest until his leader’s safe recovery.

The participants of the Monday’s demonstration also showed solidarity with Mr. Johar. Local human rights activists believe Mr. Baloch’s life is in extreme danger, and there is a possibility that he might become a victim of Pakistan’s “kill and dump” policy.

The Amnesty International has also shown concern about Mr. Baloch’s fate. In an urgent appeal asking people to write to Pakistani authorities, the group said that Mr. Baloch is at grave risk of ill-treatment, torture, or even death.

“Hundreds of other activists have suffered similar fates in the province over recent years,” it said in the appeal.

“We are here to seek the help of human rights groups in bringing Zahid Baloch back,” said Abrahim Delwash, one of the protestors while holding a picture of Zahid Baloch. “If he has done anything wrong, he must be produced in a court of law.”

This was the second protest held by the Baloch community in the city this year. In March, they had a demonstration to show solidarity with Mama Qadeer and other relative-activits of the missing Baloch who completed a 3000-kilometer long journey on foot from Quetta to Islamabad for the safe recovery of their loved ones.

Members of the BSO–Azad are among the majority of political activists who have become victim to “kill and dump” operations of the security agencies in recent years.

“BSO–Azad is a peaceful political platform of Baloch students,” Mr. Delwash said. “It is unfortunate that it is being dealt with an iron hand by Pakistani security agencies.”