In Pakistan, the systematic harassment and detention of Baloch activists in Quetta and Karachi have drawn criticism from international human rights advocates. Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, condemned the recent wave of arrests, highlighting the ongoing repression of the Baloch community’s rights. Activists like Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, and Bebarg Zehri face unjust imprisonment at a time when their health has critically declined without access to medical care.
The use of legal tools to fabricate charges against these activists illustrates a disturbing pattern, as outlined by Amnesty International. Through multiple false First Information Reports (FIRs) and wrongful preventive detentions, authorities have blatantly undermined the rights promised to Baloch citizens under both Pakistan’s Constitution and international law.
Babu Ram Pant called for immediate action, urging the Pakistani government to release all activists merely exercising their rights to free speech and peaceful assembly. He stressed the necessity for an impartial investigation into the violent dispersal of protests on 21 March, demanding accountability and redress for breaches of rights.
Background events accentuate this plight: Bebarg and his brother Hammal Zehri were abducted by Counter Terrorism Department officials following a press conference advocating for justice for families of the disappeared. During a subsequent protest, three activists tragically lost their lives, further demonstrating the risks faced by those standing for Baloch rights. On 24 March, additional leaders, including Sammi Deen Baloch, were apprehended for violating assembly bans, showcasing the stringent crackdown on dissenters.
The article discusses the recent crackdown on Baloch activists in Pakistan, highlighting the unlawful detentions and systemic attacks on their rights. Amnesty International’s Babu Ram Pant criticises the use of bogus charges and the lack of medical care for detained activists. The text calls for immediate release of these activists and an investigation into the violence during protests. The background includes details on kidnappings and deaths of protesters.
The relentless suppression of Baloch activists in Pakistan raises urgent humanitarian concerns. The need for the Pakistani authorities to restore civil liberties and uphold justice is paramount. As Amnesty International’s Babu Ram Pant notes, a thorough investigation and the immediate release of detained activists are crucial steps towards rectifying these grave human rights infringements. The ongoing plight of Baloch activists exemplifies the struggle for fundamental freedoms and the dire consequences faced by those fighting for their rights.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
