Baloch hold anti-China protest in London over CPEC

The Free Balochistan Movement activists held a protest in front of Chinese Embassy here against its expansionist politics in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

Free Balochistan Movement leader Hyrbyair Marri said, "Today we are protesting in front of Chinese embassy on International Torture Day as China is telling Pakistan how to relocate Baloch villages, the villages which are on the route of CPEC and they are committing gross human rights violations there. Youth have disappeared and their mutilated bodies have been found in different areas of Balochistan."

The Baloch, who have been fighting against the forceful occupation of Pakistan, are opposing the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Free Balochistan Movement activist Faiz Baluch said Pakistan is committing human rights violations in Balochistan, killing women and children, whereas China is supporting Pakistan to accelerate its crimes in the province.

"We have been sitting here for the past three days and are about to start our final protest against China and Pakistan. Pakistan is committing human rights violation in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, abducting and killing of women and children," he said.

Baluch alleged that China is a Pakistan's partner-in-crime.

He said, "China is a crime partner of Pakistan and is helping them to in every way. So, that is why we have decided to sit in front of the Chinese embassy this time and tell them that their partnership is in violation of international human rights laws and international conventions."

He also said, "We will be raising the flag of Balochistan which is the national flag of Balochistan. The Chinese took an objection of the flag claiming that is the flag of Baloch liberation army. A few nights ago, the British police had asked us to take down the flag but we have decided not to take it down because this is our national flag and not any proscribed organisation's flag."

"We will do our utmost to defend our national flag," he added.

The Free Balochistan Movement has also launched a campaign in other countries, including the United States and Germany, to expose Pakistan and China for their anti-people policies, especially in Balochistan.

CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects that are currently under construction throughout Pakistan. It intends to rapidly modernize Pakistani infrastructure and strengthen its economy by the construction of modern transportation networks, numerous energy projects, and special economic zones.