HELP BALOCHISTAN
made by @mikutisms
SUMMARY:
Balochistan is a state that spans across south and west asia, with sections occupied by Pakistan (Balochistan), Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan) and Afghanistan. It’s large and incredibly resource rich, with large reserves of minerals and gas. However, despite this, most people in the state live in poverty. Resources in Eastern Balochistan (Pakistan) are exploited and spent on other provinces, with the province receiving incredibly little of the funding in return. In Western Balochistan (Iran), over 70% of the population live below the poverty line.
map & (edited) flag of balochistan
Due to this, the Baloch people have been protesting for years, demanding equal rights, protections and fighting for self-autonomy. However, as we speak up, we are kidnapped, killed and maimed. We are framed as terrorists or insurgents as the Pakistani military kidnaps our people and the IRGC discriminate against and murder us (whether it's for being of the Sunni sect or for being an ethnic minority.) Our people live in fear as we are killed off slowly, and our unique cultural identity gets erased. In Pakistan, Balochs are kidnapped with no due court proceedings and kept in detention centers for years, unable to contact family or the outside world— or worse, their bodies are unceremoniously dumped for their families to find.To worsen the situation, in Pakistani Balochistan, countermilitary forces such as the BLA (Baloch Liberation Army) and BLF (Baloch Liberation Front), in an attempt to counteract our genocide and seek independence, have begun ethnically cleansing the non-Baloch from Balochistan by destroying civilian infrastructure and killing military officials— which has only worsened military force on innocent Baloch peoples and given the military an "excuse" to continue extrajudicial killings and disappearances. The majority of the Baloch people do not support nor condone the BLA/BLF, yet we are accused of colluding with them to justify our genocide.In Iranian Balochistan, the IRI has banned the practice of Balochi cultural traditions and language in an attempt to Perisanate the Baloch people— and often punish offenders with death. The Baloch people are given limited protections and are extrajudicially killed (hanged) en-masse.Our genocide is silent, with little media coverage. Facts are obscured by propaganda and forced silencing— which further grants militants the ability to kill as they want.
please speak up against the baloch genocide!
LEARN MORE
GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH:
— Be wary of sources that openly support organizations such as the BLF / BLA, the IRI / IRGC or the Pakistani military.
— Sources that outwardly support the BLA / BLF may obscure and downplay damage caused by the BLA / BLF, but may be more accurate in reporting damage caused by the Pakistani military
— Sources that outwardly support the Pakistani military should only be used to cross reference data regarding damage caused by the BLA / BLF and should NOT be trusted otherwise - especially in regards to Humans’ Rights violations!
— Sources that outwardly support the IRI / IRGC are NOT to be trusted
— Always consult multiple sources and do your own research! This carrd was made as an attempt to introduce the topic to the global population, and should not be used as a stand-in for actual research
— Baloch nationalist movements are not inherently linked to the BLA / BLF and should not be treated as such. There is no "right" or "wrong" opinion for a Baloch to hold on independence. Do not speak over baloch voices, especially regarding independence.
western balochistan (pakistan):
eastern balochistan (iran):
NOTE: Balochistan and balochs are commonly referred to as Baluchestan / baluchs in the Persian dialect.
HOW DO I HELP?
EDUCATE YOURSELF:
Pakistani and Iranian media channels are controlled by the military and the IRI respectively— thus, finding accurate information is often difficult and convoluted. This makes it difficult to speak out, and can turn people AGAINST the Baloch cause due to state-peddled narratives of our people being terrorists.By educating yourself, it makes it harder for misinformation to circulate and makes it easier to speak up!
SPEAK UP:
Due to exploitation by the state, Balochistan remains impoverished and with limited education— thus, many victims are unable to express grief, outrage or speak out on a global / regional scale. The goal of the Pakistani military is to silence Baloch voices— which is why the enforced disappearances occur in the first place. Baloch activists live in fear of being kidnapped and killed for speaking against the human rights violations that take place, and even fleeing to other countries cannot keep us safe. Additionally, in western balochistan, the IRGC indiscriminately murders all those who speak or act against it— the Baloch people (and other minority groups) especially.However, these forces cannot affect you if you aren't from or don't live in Iran or Pakistan— and they cannot silence us if enough people speak out. BY ACTING AS OUR VOICE, YOU ARE SAVING LIVES!Talk about the Baloch cause both on social media and beyond— share this carrd and use hashtags such as #StopBalochGenocide and #EndEnforcedDisappearances !!!
DONATE:
Although there are no direct ways to donate to Baloch activist organizations, one of the major contributers to the suffering of the Baloch people is the lack of basic human needs— especially as militant groups destroy infrastructure such as hospitals and schools.By donating to organizations that support the development of Balochistan, you're directly making a difference to Baloch lives!