Geneva, Switzerland – September 15, 2025
The 7th International Baloch Conference has issued a solemn and urgent call to action from Geneva, exposing a dire human rights crisis in Balochistan that threatens catastrophic consequences for South Asia.
Convened under the theme “The Struggle for Balochistan: Rights, Resistance, and Regional Significance,” this critical gathering brought together political leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, and members of the Baloch diaspora to confront a rapidly deteriorating situation. Organized by the Baloch National Movement, the conference presented harrowing survivor testimonies, expert legal analyses, and a unified demand for immediate international intervention to halt decades of relentless oppression.
A FIGHT AGAINST SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE
The Baloch struggle is not against the people of Pakistan but against entrenched structures of occupation and systemic injustice that deny the fundamental right to self-determination. “We don’t ask for sympathy. We ask for solidarity, recognition, rights and freedom for the people in Balochistan to live in peace and harmony,” one speaker declared, encapsulating the conference’s urgent plea for global support.
ALARMING EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES
The scale of violations is staggering and demands immediate attention. According to the Human Rights Council of Balochistan, in 2024 alone, over 800 individuals were forcibly disappeared, and nearly 500 were killed in extrajudicial operations. Independent monitors reported that in May 2025, over 100 people vanished, and at least 27 extrajudicial killings occurred in a single month. Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about pervasive surveillance and censorship, while United Nations experts have condemned the disproportionate impact of counter-terrorism measures on civilians, signaling a grave breach of international norms.
SYSTEMATIC REPRESSION THREATENS LIVES
The conference revealed a chilling pattern of state-sponsored oppression, silencing dissent and dismantling civic space. Hatin Baloch, a human rights activist and coordinator of the PAANK information center, presented devastating accounts of torture, enforced disappearances, and intimidation of families seeking justice. The region remains under a near-total media blackout, with journalists and lawyers facing constant threats to their lives.
A REGIONAL AND GLOBAL THREAT
Rauf Laghari, a leader in the Indian National Congress and representative of the World Sindhi Congress, framed the Baloch crisis as part of a broader justice emergency across South Asia. He warned that the systematic denial of rights constitutes both a humanitarian tragedy and a direct threat to international stability. “Your struggle is our struggle, your pain is my pain, and your freedom is our freedom,” he affirmed, urging resolute solidarity and accountability to avert further escalation.
PAKISTAN’S FAILING SYSTEM
Mohsin Dawar, a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, condemned the structural deficiencies in Pakistan’s political system, which fails to protect the fundamental rights of Baloch, Pashtun, and Hindu communities. He reported that hundreds of political activists have disappeared in recent months and emphasized that cross-community alliances are the only viable path to compel meaningful reform.
A MILITARY-DRIVEN CRISIS
Dr. Mohammad Taqi, a journalist and political analyst, described Pakistan’s state as dominated by military power, with civilian governance rendered ineffective. He highlighted that Pakistan and Iran exploit Balochistan’s resources while disregarding its people’s aspirations. He warned of an impending systemic collapse if this model persists, urging Baloch, Pashtun, and Sindhi leaders to unite around a shared agenda at this pivotal moment.
A HISTORY OF OPPRESSION
Naseem Baloch, a torture survivor and chairperson of the Baloch National Movement in exile, recounted Balochistan’s lost autonomy following its occupation in 1948. He detailed successive waves of military repression in 1948, 1962, 1973, and the 2000s, each marked by arrests, displacement, and escalating human rights abuses. International organizations have documented mass graves, disappearances, and torture, yet the crisis persists. He issued a critical call for the United Nations to deploy an investigative mission to Balochistan, a demand echoed by international legal experts.
GLOBAL INACTION ENABLES IMPUNITY
Reed Brody of the International Commission of Jurists drew sobering parallels with other regions plagued by regimes of terror, warning that silence from the international community perpetuates impunity. He pressed for rigorous scrutiny and accountability for those responsible for crimes against civilians.
BRITAIN’S HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY
Labour MP John McDonnell, addressing the conference online, underscored the United Kingdom’s obligation to the Baloch people due to its historical role in the region. He urged the UK government to confront the ongoing abuses in Balochistan and stressed that UK aid to Pakistan must be contingent on respect for fundamental rights. “He concluded with a commitment that he and his colleagues in Parliament will continue pressing for recognition of the Baloch people’s right to self-determination.”
The conference concluded with a resolute consensus that the right to self-determination, enshrined in the United Nations Charter, must be upheld without delay. The moral imperative to act extends beyond justice for the Baloch people to securing lasting peace and stability in South Asia. The international community must respond immediately to prevent further atrocities and avert a regional crisis of catastrophic proportions.