Manzoor Baloch, a prominent Baloch activist, has made a passionate plea before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), urging the global body to take immediate action against human rights violations in Balochistan. Speaking at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Baloch shed light on the dire situation faced by displaced Baloch refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to systemic oppression and violence.

A Cry for Justice: Baloch Refugees in Crisis

During his speech, Baloch exposed the suffering of thousands of Baloch people forced to flee their homeland to neighboring countries such as Iran and Afghanistan. Instead of finding safety, these refugees are reportedly subjected to harassment, violence, and targeted attacks, often with the cooperation of Pakistani authorities, trapping them in a cycle of fear and hostility.

"Instead of finding refuge, they are treated with hostility and intimidation and denied basic protection," Baloch stated. Many Baloch refugees remain unregistered with international organizations, depriving them of critical humanitarian assistance.

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UNHCR’s Inaction and the Urgent Need for Intervention

Baloch strongly criticized the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for failing to acknowledge the plight of Baloch refugees. He pointed out that the UNHCR has yet to conduct a mission to Balochistan, despite widespread military oppression, enforced disappearances, and violent crackdowns.

Displaced families, he revealed, are living in squalid conditions with little to no access to food, shelter, or healthcare. The forced disappearances and continued violence in the region have only worsened their suffering, with no meaningful intervention from international bodies.

A Call to Action for the UNHRC

In his closing remarks, Baloch demanded immediate action from the Human Rights Council, urging it to:

Push the UNHCR to recognize Baloch refugees.
Conduct an official mission to Balochistan to assess the humanitarian crisis.
Provide urgent assistance to displaced Baloch families.

"We urge this council to call on the UNHCR to recognize Baloch refugees, conduct a mission to Balochistan, and take immediate action to address the needs of displaced people," Baloch implored.

Why This Matters

The Balochistan crisis has long been overshadowed by other global conflicts, but activists argue that the region remains a hotbed of human rights abuses, military crackdowns, and political persecution. Many Baloch activists and civilians continue to face arbitrary detentions, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, making international intervention crucial.

Baloch’s plea at the UNHRC highlights the growing urgency of the crisis, calling on the international community to break its silence and take concrete steps to protect Balochistan’s vulnerable populations.

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