The first conference, titled “Enforced Disappearances and Balochistan: A Land of Disappearances,” took place on October 5, 2023. The event brought together prominent European Parliamentary members, experts, policy-makers, international human rights organization representatives, and people’s representatives, reports ANI.
The discussions focused on the urgent need for a reinvestigation into the mysterious murder of Baloch activist Karima Baloch and the overall human rights situation in Balochistan.
Moderated by Munir Mengal, the conference featured insights from various speakers, including Yvonne Apiyo Brandle Amolo, a Swiss Parliamentary member. Amolo emphasized the strength of Baloch women within their community and highlighted the immense suffering endured by families due to enforced disappearances, the news agency reported.
Harry Van Bommel, a senior Dutch politician, drew parallels between the accounts from Balochistan and the atrocities he witnessed in Bangladesh in 1971.
Tariq Baloch of Baloch Peoples Congress presented visual evidence of Pakistani forces’ atrocities, including mutilated and tortured bodies of missing persons.
Fazal Afridi, Executive Director of Khyber Institute and President of PTM Europe zone, stood in solidarity with the Baloch people and highlighted the enforced disappearances faced by the Pashtoon people, the news agency reported.