BSO-Azad accuses Pak state of normalising disappearance of women

The BSO-Azad accuses the Pakistani state of a deliberate strategy to normalise the enforced disappearance of Baloch women. A spokesperson alleged this is to dismantle Baloch cultural and social structures, citing numerous recent disappearances.

The Baloch Students Organization (BSO-Azad) has accused the Pakistani state of deliberately attempting to normalise the enforced disappearance of Baloch women, describing it as a calculated strategy to erode the social fabric of Baloch society, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

Historical Context and Cultural Suppression

According to The Balochistan Post, speaking on behalf of the group, central spokesperson Sholan Baloch stated that Baloch society is historically grounded in strong moral and ethical traditions, shaped by resistance to injustice, commitment to equality, and deep respect for women. According to him, these values have long defined the identity and dignity of the Baloch people.

He alleged that since what he described as Pakistan's "occupation" of Balochistan in 1948, state authorities have pursued policies aimed at exploiting the region while simultaneously attempting to dismantle its cultural and social structures. These efforts, he claimed, have included suppressing local language, traditions, and identity to consolidate control.

Escalation Targeting Women

The spokesperson further stated that enforced disappearances, once sporadic, have now become routine. He warned that a new and troubling phase is emerging, in which the disappearance of women is being increasingly normalised. He cited reports of house raids, violations of private spaces, and instances where families are collectively punished. According to his claims, nearly two dozen Baloch women have allegedly been forcibly disappeared this year from areas including Quetta, Karachi, Khuzdar, Kech, and Awaran. Some of these women, he alleged, are being held in undisclosed detention centres under harsh conditions, while others face intimidation and media narratives aimed at discrediting the movement.

Drawing Parallels with Past Atrocities

Drawing parallels with past events, he accused the Pakistani state of previously engaging in similar actions during the Bangladesh conflict, alleging a pattern of human rights violations, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. He argued that such practices are now being repeated in Balochistan, targeting women through harassment, threats, and disappearances.

'Efforts to Weaken Society Will Fail'

Calling these acts grave violations of human rights and ethical norms, Sholan Baloch asserted that such measures are intended to weaken and desensitise Baloch society. However, he maintained that these efforts would ultimately fail, emphasising that a people with a deep-rooted history of resistance cannot be subdued through force, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

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