On 24 March 2025, at approximately 5:30 PM, Sammi Deen Baloch was forcibly arrested by police during a peaceful demonstration in Karachi, protesting against the ongoing violations of Baloch human rights defenders. Reports suggest she is being held at the Women Police station on Shahrah e Faisal, Karachi.
Sammi Deen Baloch stands out as a fearless advocate for Baloch rights, bravely addressing issues like enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and custodial torture. Her dedication earned her the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2024, highlighting her commitment to illuminating human rights abuses despite personal danger.
On the day of her arrest, video footage captured police using excessive force, dragging her from the crowd and into a police vehicle, amidst a broader crackdown on peaceful protestors. Other defenders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Bebarg Zehri, faced similar targeting, which raises serious concerns about the safety of all involved.
Sammi has a history of being targeted due to her activism, previously facing reprisals linked to the Baloch Long March and the Baloch National Gathering. Her latest arrest directly reflects a crackdown on her rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.
Front Line Defenders has voiced grave concerns about Sammi Deen Baloch’s safety and the broader harassment of Baloch human rights defenders. They demand that Pakistani authorities conduct an impartial inquiry into the excessive use of force and release Baloch defenders, ensuring protection against further reprisals for exercising their rights.
Sammi Deen Baloch, a prominent Baloch human rights defender, was arrested on 24 March 2025 during a peaceful protest against human rights violations in Karachi. She has been targeted due to her advocacy work, facing past reprisals and excessive police force during her arrest. Front Line Defenders emphasizes the need for an inquiry and calls for the immediate release of Baloch human rights defenders, highlighting ongoing risks to their safety.
In summary, the arrest of Sammi Deen Baloch on 24 March 2025 highlights the ongoing repression faced by Baloch human rights defenders in Pakistan. Her unwavering commitment to human rights advocacy and the systemic targeting she experiences underscores the urgent need for protection and justice. Front Line Defenders continues to call for accountability and the safeguarding of human rights in Balochistan.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
