In an urgent appeal, United Nations experts have implored Pakistan to release detained Baloch human rights defenders and cease the crackdown on peaceful protests. This call, articulated by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, highlights the alarming police response to demonstrations held by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which champions Baloch rights and has faced severe repercussions in the wake of a recent attack.
The BYC’s peaceful protest on March 21, 2025, outside the University of Balochistan was violently disrupted by Quetta Police. Tragically, this incident led to the deaths of three protesters, with many injured, and scores arrested. Experts condemned the excessive force used, asserting that such actions only exacerbate the trauma inflicted by the earlier terrorist attack, as reiterated in their press release.
In response to the police brutality, BYC members, including notable human rights activist Mahrang Baloch, staged a sit-in protest on March 22, 2025, in Quetta. However, police met them with violence, employing batons and tear gas to scatter the assembled crowd, which resulted in Mahrang and several activists being detained, with Mahrang’s wellbeing unknown for hours amid allegations of denial of family visits and legal representation.
On March 24, 2025, Sammi Deen Baloch, a fellow leading figure from the BYC, was apprehended in Karachi while protesting against the repression. She has been held for 30 days under the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, raising further alarm regarding the treatment of these activists.
The experts have expressed profound concern for the detained individuals, especially Mahrang and Sammi Deen Baloch, urging their immediate release and denouncing the use of anti-terrorism legislation to target those advocating for human rights. They also demanded transparency regarding the fate of those who have gone missing amidst increasing reports of arrests and enforced disappearances.
Addressing the underlying causes of these tensions, the experts called on the Pakistani government to align its counter-terrorism strategies with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. They remain engaged with Pakistani authorities, seeking timely updates on the situation.
United Nations experts have urged Pakistan to release detained Baloch human rights defenders and halt violent crackdowns on peaceful protests. The police’s heavy-handed response to demonstrations by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, resulting in fatalities and arrests, has drawn condemnation. Prominent activists Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch are among those detained, prompting calls for their release and a cessation of targeted actions using anti-terrorism laws.
In summary, the UN experts’ call to action underscores the urgent need for Pakistan to cease its oppressive tactics against Baloch human rights defenders. The rise in violence and enforced disappearances highlights a troubling pattern that must be addressed to ensure the protection of civil rights and maintain peace in the region. The international community’s attention on these matters may serve to uplift the plight of those fighting for social justice in Pakistan.
Original Source: www.aninews.in
