Balochistan Independence Day observed in London

Press Release

In a large gathering organized by Baloch Human Rights Council (UK), the Baloch community in London observed the independence day of Balochistan. The meeting was held on 11 August 2013 in the Birkbeck University of London.

The meeting was to highlight the importance of the month of August in the Baloch history in which important happenings changed the destiny of the Baloch people. In August 1928, the Iranians were finally succeeded in occupying the Baloch chiefdom of western Balochistan with the use of brutal military prowess. On 11 August 1947, the Baloch State of Kalat declared its independence in the wake of British withdrawal from India but after a few months of independence, it was occupied by Pakistan in 1948.

Prominent among the speakers were Dr. Taj Mohammad Bresi (Baloch writer), Hammal Hayder (BNM representative in the UK), Abdulla Baloch ( Baloch Rajee Zrombesh), Jamshed Amiri  (Balochistan United Front of Iran), Mehrab Sarjo (Baloch activist), Khalil Baloch (Baloch Students and Youth Association), Ms. Doris Jones ( Borneo & NWS), Dr. Jawad Mella (President of Kurdistan National Congress of Syrian  Kurdistan) and Hasan Hamdam (Vice President of BHRC). Speakers spoke on various aspects of the declaration of independence by the Baloch state of Kalat on August 11, 1947 and subsequent occupation of Balochistan by Pakistan in 1948.  Samad Baloch, general secretary of BHRC gave a detailed analysis of the situation in Balochistan and various other speakers highlighted the deplorable human right situation prevailing in Balochistan and urged the international community to come forward in order to pressurize the Pakistani and Iranian states to stop brutalities on the Baloch. Speakers urged the Baloch leadership to unite and take visionary steps for the achievement of cherished goal of the Baloch National Struggle. Dr. Lakhumal Luhana, President of World Sindhi Congress, as the chief guest of the meeting, spoke about the importance of unity between Sindhi and the Baloch National struggles. Dr. Naseer Dashti, presiding the meeting, deliberated on the situation of Western Balochistan at the time of Iranian invasion in 1928.

A one minute silence was observed to honour the martyrs of the Baloch national resistance.

For more pictures of the event please log in:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.588137927914924.1073741826.153593348036053&type=3

Issued by:

Samad Baloch

General Secretary

Baloch Human Rights Council (UK)

Dated: 13 Aug.20 13