In a troubling case of human rights abuse, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch human rights defender, was arrested on 22 March 2025 during a peaceful protest against police violence. Since her arrest, concerns for her health have escalated as reports suggest she is being served possibly unhygienic food and is being denied necessary medical treatment. Her sisters raised alarms on 27 March, revealing her deteriorating condition at Hudda District Prison.
Dr. Baloch is no stranger to activism; she is a well-known figure in the fight for Baloch rights, leading initiatives against extortion and enforced disappearances. Having spearheaded significant movements like the Baloch Long March in late 2023, she has faced considerable persecution, including false charges and travel bans. Her outspoken stance against the systemic abuses committed by Pakistan’s military and police has made her a target.
The circumstances of her arrest shed light on the grim realities faced by human rights advocates in the region. Just hours before her detention, Baloch protesters were met with lethal force, leading to multiple casualties. Dr. Baloch’s incarceration appears to be a reprisal for her activism, as she stood against the targeting of her peers under the pretext of national security.
Upon her arrest, her whereabouts were unknown for nearly 12 hours, deepening fears for her safety. Eventually confirmed in the Hudda District Jail, her family struggled to gain visitation rights, though now they encounter severe restrictions. Although her lawyer accessed her under court order, the situation remains dire.
Human rights organisation, Front Line Defenders, is alarmed by her treatment in custody. Reports indicate that Dr. Baloch’s health continues to worsen due to care neglect and her confinement in deplorable conditions. Restrictions on internet access further isolation her family, complicating their ability to monitor her progress or the broader security landscape concerning Baloch activists.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a human rights defender, was arrested on 22 March 2025 during a protest against police brutality. Her health has deteriorated due to poor prison conditions and she has been denied medical treatment. Front Line Defenders urges her immediate release and access to healthcare, emphasising the need to protect human rights activists in Pakistan.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s situation exemplifies the plight of human rights defenders in Balochistan, facing threats and imprisonment for their advocacy. Her arrest reflects the systemic targeting of activists under the guise of counter-terrorism. Calls for her release and access to medical treatment underscore urgent humanitarian concerns, highlighting the need for protection of rights activists in Pakistan.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
