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Sunday, April 1, 2012

BHRC (Canada), IVBMP, Oppressed Nations Demand End of Illegal Occupation, Human Rights Violations in Balochistan

Mumtaz Khan – Director, International Centre for Peace & Democracy

Toronto, Sunday, 03/25/2012 – Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) and the International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, jointly observed March 27, 1948 illegal occupation of Balochistan, and described it a dark period in the nation’s history. At a well-attended gathering of political activists, community members, and organizations representing Baloch, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Alahwazi Arabs, South Azerbaijanis, Turkomans, and progressive elements in Toronto – speakers expressed strong solidarity with the Baloch struggle for freedom and rights.

Shir Abedian, Secretary General, BHRC (Canada) and Central Committee member of Balochistan Peoples Party (Western Balochistan) commenced the event with patriotic Balochi poetry and greeted the guests to an evening of remembrance of the sad day when Baloch people lost their sovereignty to the invading Pakistan army.
Zaffar Baloch, President, BHRC (Canada) presented the audience with a brief history of Balochistan, highlighting the events that led to the illegal occupation of Kalat by Pakistani armed forces.
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See full text).
Khair Mohammad Kolachi of World Sindhi Institute spoke about the political situation in Sindh and held the Sindh Govt and Islamabad responsible for the lawlessness in the province and its capitol, Karachi. He said that Sindh society and culture are a continuation of centuries old Sufi traditions with great respect and tolerance for diverse belief systems. Mr. Kolachi expressed his solidarity with the ongoing Baloch struggle and described the human rights situation in Balochistan as grave and appalling by any standards.
Abu Sufyan Alahwazi, representing the Alahwaz Democratic Popular Front, shed light on the Alahwazi popular struggle for freedom and rights, and called upon all the oppressed nationalities in Iran to unite against the theocratic, fascist regime to achieve sovereignty and their cultural identity. Mr. Sufyan strongly supported the freedom struggle of Baloch people in Iran and Pakistan and condemned the atrocities committed by the two states on innocent civilians.
Mumtaz Khan, Director, International Centre for Peace and Democracy spoke on the conflict in Kashmir, and described the role of Pakistan as detrimental to peace and stability in the region. Mr. Khan said that Soviet Union with a strong communist ideology, and tons of advanced nuclear weapons could not stop itself from disintegration; it would be naive of Pakistan with a decadent Islamic ideology, crippled economy, and terror networks to believe that it can save itself from destruction. Furthermore, he mentioned that Balochistan’s forceful merger with Pakistan was illegal and Baloch nation have the historical and political ground to become a sovereign nation.
Chaharyar, representative of the Turkoman people’s struggle for independence from Iran, expressed his solidarity with the Baloch people’s aspirations for rights and complete independence from the dominance of Iran and Pakistan. Mr. Chaharyar said that the policies and practices of the Iranian theocracy in terms of dealing with oppressed nationalities are outrageously racist and discriminatory.
Ejaz Sheikh, representing World Sindhi Congress, emphasized on the historic relationship between the two nations of Sindh and Balochistan. Mr. Sheikh said that the Baloch struggle for independence is a source of inspiration to our movement and a beacon of light for all oppressed nationalities. Defining the situation in Karachi, the capitol of Sindh, Mr. Sheikh informed the audience that Sindhi nationalist struggle is increasingly developing its political and social presence in the metropolitan and the urbanization process. He defined the Sindhi rally led by JSQM and its leader Bashir Qureshi in Karachi as a landmark achievement. “Sindh can regain its past glory only through complete liberation as a nation,â€‌ Mr. Sheikh said.
Oguz Turk, representative of the South Azerbaijani Independence Party informed the audience about the deteriorating social and political conditions in Iran. Mr. Turk said that the artificially drawn borders of a state do not define the historic realities of a people trapped within. “I salute the Baloch struggle for independence and the sacrifices they are willing to offer, both, under Iranian and the Pakistani occupation,â€‌ Mr. Turk said.
Shir Abedian, as a member of the Central Committee, Balochistan Peoples Party (Western Balochistan) explained that the lives of Baloch people under occupation of Iran and its brutal regime can be described as simply subhuman – facing discrimination, public hanging, and summary executions on daily basis. Our struggle for self-determination, rights, and cultural identity extends beyond the artificial borders dividing the eastern and western Balochistan.
Messages:
Messages for the occasion from Baloch leaders and progressive writers were read to the audience. Imtiaz Baloch, Secretary Information, BHRC (Canada) and Zaffar Baloch, President, BHRC (Canada) delivered messages from notable Baloch leadership in exile. Mr. Intizar Zaidi, spokesperson for the Muslim Canadian Congress, delivered a message from Tarek Fatah, author and a great friend of Balochistan.
Click on Picture to read message:

The event ended on a note of solidarity with the Baloch struggle for independence and the need for unity among the oppressed nationalities, fighting the common enemies – Iran and Pakistan. BHRC (Canada) leadership thanked the speakers and the participants for their support for a just cause. Guests were served refreshments and that brought the evening to its conclusion.
Future of Baloch Diaspora
Future of Baloch Diaspora
Future of Baloch Diaspora
Future of Baloch Diaspora
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Khair Mohammad Kolachi - World Sindhi Institute
Khair Mohammad Kolachi – World Sindhi Institute
Shir Abedian - Secretary General, BHRC (Canada) - Balochistan Peoples Party
Shir Abedian – Secretary General, BHRC (Canada) – Balochistan Peoples Party
Abu Sufyan Alahwazi - Alahwaz Democratic Popular Front
Abu Sufyan Alahwazi – Alahwaz Democratic Popular Front
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Mumtaz Khan - Director, International Centre for Peace
Mumtaz Khan – Director, International Centre for Peace & Democracy
Imtiaz Baloch - Secretary Information, BHRC (Canada)
Imtiaz Baloch – Secretary Information, BHRC (Canada)
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Chaharyar - Turkoman Movement
Chaharyar – Turkoman Movement
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Intezar Zaidi - Muslim Canadian Congress
Intezar Zaidi – Muslim Canadian Congress
Ejaz Sheikh - World Sindhi Congress
Ejaz Sheikh – World Sindhi Congress
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Imtiaz Baloch - Secretary Information, BHRC (Canada)
Imtiaz Baloch – Secretary Information, BHRC (Canada)
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Zaffar Baloch - President, BHRC (Canada)
Zaffar Baloch – President, BHRC (Canada)
Zaffar Baloch - President, BHRC (Canada)
Zaffar Baloch – President, BHRC (Canada)

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