By: The Page 3 News, UK – January 1, 2026
A powerful protest rally was held in Manchester, United Kingdom, organized by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), in response to the recent surge in state-sponsored violence and repression against Baloch women. The demonstration, which took place over the weekend, was sparked by an alarming increase in the abduction and enforced disappearances of Baloch women in both Pakistani-occupied and Iranian-occupied Balochistan.
The protest, attended by activists, human rights advocates, and members of the Baloch diaspora, featured a lineup of speakers who passionately condemned the escalating abuse. Among those addressing the crowd were Geoff Brown from the Socialist Workers Party, Markus West of We Demand the Change, and prominent Baloch activists Raji Baloch and Nobat Marri.
State Repression and the Abduction Crisis
According to a spokesperson for the Free Balochistan Movement, the crackdown on Baloch women has intensified dramatically in the past month, with multiple reports of women being forcibly taken from their homes. The FBM claims these abductions are part of a larger strategy by Pakistani and Iranian forces to suppress the Baloch independence movement through collective punishment. The spokesperson emphasized that this latest wave of violence against women is a direct consequence of the occupying states’ desperate attempts to break the resolve of the Baloch people.
“We stand here today to shine a light on the horrific abductions and arbitrary arrests of Baloch women,” the FBM spokesperson said. “These women, mothers, daughters, and sisters, are being targeted simply for standing with their people in their quest for freedom.”
A History of Violence Against Women in Balochistan
The FBM highlighted the particularly brutal treatment of Baloch women by the occupying states. Last year, in Iranian-occupied Balochistan, a 14-year-old girl named Mahu was reportedly abducted and taken to a military camp, where she was subjected to sexual assault. This incident sparked widespread outrage and led to mass protests at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan (Dozap), a demonstration that was violently suppressed by Iranian forces. The crackdown, which included live fire on protesters, resulted in the deaths of over one hundred Baloch civilians and left many more wounded. The massacre is now remembered as “Bloody Friday.”
The repression extends to Pakistani-occupied Balochistan, where the situation has grown increasingly dire. The FBM spokesperson recounted the abduction of Mahal, a Baloch woman, by Pakistani forces, followed by the disappearance of another woman, MahJabeen. Despite widespread calls for their release, no information has surfaced regarding their whereabouts. In addition to these disappearances, four more women have reportedly been taken, including Hani Baloch, who is eight months pregnant. The families of these women are still awaiting answers, but the occupying forces have provided no response.
Calls for International Action
At the rally, speakers urged the international community to take immediate action to halt the ongoing repression in Balochistan. Activists called for stronger sanctions against the Pakistani and Iranian governments and for global human rights organizations to intensify their monitoring of the situation. They also emphasized the need for greater media attention to the plight of Baloch women, who have been disproportionately targeted as part of the broader crackdown on the Baloch independence movement.
The FBM, alongside other supporters, has made it clear that the struggle for Baloch independence will not be silenced by violence. “We will continue to fight for the freedom and dignity of our people, and especially for our women, who have borne the brunt of this cruelty,” said one protestor. “This is not just a Baloch issue — it is a human rights issue that demands global solidarity.”
Global Spotlight on Balochistan’s Crisis
The protest in Manchester is one of many international actions calling attention to the ongoing crisis in Balochistan, a region long contested by Pakistan and Iran. As the crackdown continues, Baloch activists and advocates are working tirelessly to ensure the world remains focused on the urgent need for justice and accountability.
The Free Balochistan Movement has vowed to keep the pressure on, ensuring that the voices of the disappeared and oppressed Baloch people are heard on the global stage.
