Greta Thunberg Supports Baloch Women Protesting in Pakistan
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has expressed her support for the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and others who are opposing state oppression in Pakistan. She urged the Pakistani government to end the crackdown on peaceful gatherings organized by Baloch women against the Baloch genocide.
Thunberg called the reports from Gwadar ‘extremely concerning’ and demanded the release of all forcibly disappeared organizers and other people. In a post on X, she stated, ‘Solidarity with @BalochYakjehtiC and others who are opposing state oppression. The Pakistani government must end the crackdown against the peaceful gathering organized by Baloch women against the Baloch genocide by blocking roads, raiding houses, and abducting organizers. The reports from #Gwadar are extremely concerning. The right to resist state repression is a fundamental human right. All forcibly disappeared organizers and others must be released.’
Her statement comes after reports claimed that Pakistani forces have intensified their crackdown on organizers and volunteers preparing for the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering) set for July 28 in Gwadar, Pakistan. Several individuals were detained in the Mangochar tehsil of Kalat district during raids ordered by the Deputy Commissioner of Kalat. Those arrested include Amanullah Longove, Abdul Ahad Longove, and Abrar Ahmed Longove, who have been moved to the local police station. Additional arrests in Kalat have been reported but are not yet confirmed.
In Quetta’s Mangochar tehsil of the Lore Karez area, Shoaib Jatak, Mubarak Jatak, and Usama Jatak were detained and taken to a police station. Another individual, a driver named Sattar Qambarani, was also arrested, but his current location is reportedly unknown. Furthermore, two individuals, Hafiz Aslam and Amir Rodeni, were detained from their home in Lore Karez on Thursday night and are currently missing.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and the Balochistan police had previously declared their intent to use strong measures to disrupt the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ movement. This has resulted in numerous detentions, road blockages, and disruptions to convoys heading to the event. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemned the state’s actions against peaceful participants and warned that the government would be held responsible for any harm. They called for the immediate release of their detained members. Despite these attempts to hinder the movement, mobilization efforts for the gathering are ongoing, with large numbers departing from Nushki and Chagi district towards Gwadar.
The Baloch issue in Pakistan is marked by a series of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, and suppression of free speech.
Doubts Revealed
Greta Thunberg -: Greta Thunberg is a young girl from Sweden who is famous for speaking out about climate change and asking world leaders to take action to protect the environment.
Baloch Women -: Baloch women are women from the Baloch community, which is a group of people living mainly in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. They are protesting because they feel their community is being treated unfairly.
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia, located next to India. It has a lot of different groups of people, including the Baloch community.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee -: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee is a group that supports the Baloch people and their rights. They organize events and protests to raise awareness about the issues faced by the Baloch community.
State oppression -: State oppression means when the government uses its power to unfairly control or harm people. In this case, it refers to the Pakistani government’s actions against the Baloch community.
Crackdown -: A crackdown is when the government takes strong action to stop people from protesting or speaking out. This can include arresting people or breaking up gatherings.
Baloch genocide -: Genocide is when a large group of people is killed or harmed because of their ethnicity or nationality. The Baloch genocide refers to the belief that the Baloch people are being targeted and harmed by the Pakistani government.
Detentions and raids -: Detentions mean when people are arrested and kept in custody. Raids are sudden visits by police or military to catch people or find something. Both are used to stop protests or gatherings.
