The World Baloch Organisation today has launched its #FreeBalochistan human rights campaign on black cabs in Manchester UK. UK’s iconic black cabs are out once again carrying slogans “Free Balochistan from human rights abuses” in attempt to highlight the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan, where the Pakistani military has been involved in gross human rights violations including enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and torture.
This comes 2 months after the government of Pakistan demanded that the British government and Transport for London remove “#FreeBalochistan ” “Stop enforced disappearances” adverts from London taxis. In response to Pakistan government requests, Transport for London within 24 hours had ordered the adverts to be pulled from taxis on the grounds that they violated its advertising policy but it had not said which specific rule had been violated. The WBO maintained that it had not violated any policy and vowed to challenge the decision. Later however the Advertising Standards Authority ruled against Pakistan’s demand and stated that the ads did not violate their policies.
The WBO has also been running an advertising campaign in New York City where several billboards at the iconic Times Square displayed similar slogans during the New Years Eve celebrations, the billboards gained the attention of the international media and the millions watching the event from around the world.
