Dec 23, 2023
By Xari Jalil
Lahore:
After Baloch protestors met with police brutality on Wednesday night, for their protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, the issue sparked global outrage and many prominent people spoke out in solidarity.
In Pakistan, celebrities remained eerily silent over the police brutality but on Saturday author Muhammad Hanif announced he was returning his Sitara-e-Imtiaz national award.
The Pakistani journalist and author took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce he was returning the award given to him by the government in protest against the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan. “Ashamed to witness a new generation being denied basic dignity,” he wrote.
In protest, returning my Sitara e Imtiaz, given to me by a state that continues to abduct and torture Baloch citizens. Journalists of my generation have seen @SammiBaluch and @MahrangBaloch_ grow up in protest camps. Ashamed to witness a new generation being denied basic dignity. https://t.co/yrw4STuzKk
— Mohammed Hanif (@mohammedhanif) December 23, 2023
Global support for Protestors
Meanwhile, climate justice activist Greta Thunberg also raised her voice against torture and misconduct by the Islamabad Police. She said that climate justice activists all over the world stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters who have been detained, tortured and disrupted by Islamabad police for protesting against human rights abuses in Balochistan.
Climate justice activists all over the world stand in solidarity with @MahrangBaloch_ and other peaceful protesters who have been detained, tortured and disrupted by Islamabad police for protesting against human rights abuses in Balochistan.#MarchAgainstBalochGenocide
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) December 22, 2023
Showing solidarity with Baloch women, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai said It is their right to protest peacefully and their voices must be heard.
I stand with my Baloch sisters who are demanding accountability against enforced disappearances. It is their right to protest peacefully and their voices must be heard. https://t.co/lvgkhQGVbf
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) December 22, 2023
Afghan journalist Nilofar Ayoubi also hailed the brave Baloch women who are demanding their rights.
Kudos to @MahrangBaloch_ and to all the brave women of Balochistan. https://t.co/sX1K2CRDoS
— Nilofar Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@NilofarAyoubi) December 22, 2023
EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka said she is deeply worried by reports of mishandling at Baloch long march to Islamabad.
Deeply worried by reports of mishandling at #BalochLongMarch2Islamabad. Freedoms of expression, assembly and association guaranteed in arts 19, 21 & 22, resp, of the Int Covenant on Civ & and Pol Rights (ICCPR), a core measure of #GSP+ implementation. 🇵🇰 is party to the ICCPR. pic.twitter.com/CnpF7LF9Kp
— Riina Kionka (@RKionka) December 22, 2023
Meanwhile, Norway’s embassy in Islamabad on its official X account, expressed concerns over alleged human rights violations in Balochistan. “it’s Important to respect freedom of expression and right to peaceful protest,” it added.
Norway is worried over yesterday’s reported handling of demonstration in Islamabad by protesters expressing their concerns over alleged HR-violations in Balochistan. Important to respect freedom of expression and right to peaceful protest.
— Norway in Pakistan (@NorwayinPak) December 22, 2023
Nationwide protests
Meanwhile, the protestors were not allowed to carry out a peaceful rally by the ICT police so protestors chose to sit in. In Balochistan there was a complete shutter-down strike observed in Khuzdar, Naal and Wadh towns while rallies were staged in Karachi, Quetta, Turbat, Dera Ismail Khan and other parts of the country. Protestors called for their basic right to peaceful protest under Section 16 of the Constitution.