Mahrang Baloch, a fervent advocate for the rights of Pakistan’s Baloch minority, has been arrested yet again, her lawyer denied access to her in Quetta’s Hudda District Prison. Nadia Baloch, her sister, conveyed the distressing image of Mahrang appearing frail and anxious during a brief visit, voicing fears over potential harmful conditions in custody. The Baloch family’s offerings of food were also rejected at the facility, raising concerns about her wellbeing.
The backdrop to Mahrang’s arrest reveals the precarious reality of the 10 to 15 million Balochis who inhabit a region fragmented by borders, yearning for greater autonomy or even independence. Their struggles mirror those of the Kurds, as many have resorted to armed resistance against a state that has overshadowed them with militarized conflicts, notably witnessed during a recent train hijacking by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) that resulted in significant casualties.
Pakistan’s response to these uprisings has led to a protracted “dirty war”, leaving thousands of Balochis missing. Mahrang founded the Baloch Yekjehti (Solidarity) Committee to champion the victims of enforced disappearances, yet the government remains unresponsive to these pressing human rights issues. Following the Jaffar Express hijacking, state forces escalated their crackdown on Baloch rights activists, culminating in Mahrang’s arrest during a protest.
Imran Baloch, her attorney, expressed faith in Mahrang’s resilience in the face of adversity, noting the state’s unease as her profile has risen since being featured in the TIME100 Next list. Restrictions like her no-fly status for a vital trip to New York highlight how her activism has threatened the status quo. Her growing prominence also extended to a nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, amplifying state pressure against her.
Sarah de Roure from Front Line Defenders shed light on the perilous environment for women human rights defenders in Balochistan, highlighting how Mahrang is being targeted for her bold stance against enforced disappearances. This situation has triggered a global call for her release from prominent human rights advocates, including Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
At the same time, Nadia Baloch recounted the family’s struggle to visit Mahrang, ultimately resorting to hunger strikes to ensure contact. The persistence of Mahrang’s isolation and lack of legal representation is noted as highly concerning, violating legal protocols surrounding detainment.
Mahrang Baloch, a key human rights activist for Pakistan’s Baloch minority, was arrested and denied lawyer access. Her detention raises concerns about human rights violations in Balochistan amidst escalating state violence. Family members, fearing for her safety, have faced challenges in communicating with her, resorting to hunger strikes to demand visitation rights. International figures are advocating for her release, drawing attention to the plight of Baloch activists.
Mahrang Baloch’s recent arrest underscores the ongoing struggle for human rights among the Baloch people in Pakistan, a conflict marked by state oppression and enforced disappearances. Despite the threats, advocates like Mahrang continue to rise to prominence, drawing internal and international attention. As her case unfolds, calls for her release amplify, signalling a collective demand for justice and representation in the face of systemic violence.
Original Source: time.com
