On 5 April 2025, Dr. Sabiha Baloch, a prominent woman human rights defender, saw her father’s arrest by Pakistani authorities, a chilling act with no word on his whereabouts. This detainment reflects a malicious strategy to silence Dr. Baloch and intimidate her family into submission. As a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), she tirelessly advocates for the rights of the Baloch people, risking her safety with every assertion of her voice.
Dr. Sabiha Baloch’s dedication has tragically led to repercussions, including the abduction of her brother and a relative, both of whom were released after lengthy detentions. Her participation in peaceful protests against extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests highlights the severe state oppression faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo. Events like the Baloch Long March and the Baloch National Gathering in 2024 have left her undeterred, continuing her fight even in the shadow of state reprisals.
The police’s actions on 5 April 2025 were designed not only to intimidate Dr. Baloch but also exemplify a grim pattern of retaliatory arrests targeting family members of human rights defenders. With no details about her father’s detention, concerns mount regarding his mental and physical well-being, especially given the police’s claim that they will not release him until Dr. Baloch submits to their demands. In the same vein, another woman defender, Beebow Baloch, also faced similar reprisals against her family, indicating a disturbing trend.
Front Line Defenders has in strong terms denounced the actions against Dr. Sabiha Baloch and her family, branding them clear reprisals aimed at stifling legitimate dissent in Pakistan. The organisation calls on the authorities to act with transparency regarding Dr. Baloch’s father, to halt the harassment of the defender herself, and to ensure inquiries into violent actions against peaceful protesters are conducted. Furthermore, they demand protections for all Baloch human rights defenders from arbitrary arrests and reprisals under the guise of national security.
Dr. Sabiha Baloch, a Baloch woman human rights defender, is at risk of arrest following the abduction of her father by authorities, seen as a direct retaliatory measure for her advocacy. Alongside previous threats towards her family, she remains an outspoken protector of human rights amidst escalating state oppression. Front Line Defenders demands immediate action to ensure her family’s safety and accountability for human rights violations in Pakistan.
The plight of Dr. Sabiha Baloch and her father underscores the urgent need for accountability and respect for human rights in Pakistan. As threats loom over courageous defenders of justice, it is imperative that the international community amplifies calls for their protection and the cessation of state-sponsored violence against dissent. Through collective advocacy, we can strive for change in the oppressive landscape currently experienced by the Baloch people.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
