Pakistan Urged to End Crackdown on Baloch Human Rights Defenders

Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan

May 30, 2025

HRRC strongly condemns the Pakistani government's crackdown on Baloch human rights defenders, which is a blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices. We demand the immediate release of all detained human rights defenders and an end to the harassment and intimidation of activists.

From left to right: Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen, and Qazi Khizr [Image credit: Fahim Siddiqi / White Star]

Five human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have urged Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to put an immediate end to the harassment and arbitrary incarceration of Baloch human rights defenders (HRDs) who exercise their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. The organizations strongly condemn the systematic targeting and harassment of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a nonviolent grassroots movement seeking justice, accountability, and an end to enforced disappearances.

The systematic targeting of BYC leaders and supporters breaches Pakistan's constitution as well as international legal commitments, such as Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The authorities have exploited legislation such as the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO), the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and the Anti-Terrorism Act to criminalize Baloch civic opposition and unlawfully jail BYC leadership and members.

Several human rights defenders (HRDs), notably Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, have been imprisoned and incarcerated for peacefully exercising their rights. The groups are concerned about the confinement conditions and the absence of proper medical facilities for incarcerated HRDs. Bebarg Zehri, a  HRD with a disability, remains held under the MPO law, and his family is concerned about his safety.

The human rights organizations have called on the Pakistani authorities to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release all Baloch HRDs and their family members arbitrarily detained for peacefully exercising their rights.

• Drop all charges against HRDs based solely on the exercise of their rights.

• Ensure the safety of HRDs and family members, including access to medical treatment and legal counsel.

• Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of torture and mistreatment.

• End the crackdown against HRDs, journalists, protesters, and dissidents.

• Cease all forms of reprisals against family members of HRDs.

The organizations also emphasized the larger context of human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and limits on freedom of speech. A dozen United Nations experts have also urged Pakistan to free Baloch rights advocates and halt the suppression of peaceful protesters. The circumstance emphasizes the need for Pakistan to uphold its international human rights duties and protect the rights of human rights defenders, journalists, and demonstrators. The assault on Baloch HRDs is part of a wider pattern of human rights crimes in Pakistan, and the international community must take note and demand action.

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Glossary 

• Assault: A physical attack or threat of attack, often to cause harm or injury.

• Condemn: To strongly disapprove or criticize something or someone, often formally or officially.

• Covenant: A formal agreement or promise between two or more parties, often with binding obligations.

• Dissent: A disagreement or difference of opinion, often with an established authority or majority view.

• Enforced disappearances: The arrest, detention, or abduction of individuals by government officials or other actors, followed by a refusal to acknowledge their fate or whereabouts.

• Halt: To stop or bring something to an end, often suddenly or temporarily.

• Impartial: Unbiased or fair, without taking sides or showing prejudice.

• Imprisoned: Put in prison or confined, often as a result of a crime or legal penalty.

• Incarnation: The embodiment or personification of a particular quality, idea, or concept.

• Legal counsel: A lawyer or attorney who provides advice and representation to clients in legal matters.

• Reprisals: Acts of retaliation or revenge, often taken in response to a perceived injustice or attack.

• Solely: Alone or exclusively, without any additional factors or considerations.

• Unconditional: Without conditions or limitations, often implying a complete or absolute commitment or surrender.

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Sources

1. https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/pakistan/pakistan-the-authorities-must-end-crackdown-on-baloch-human-rights 

2. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights

3. https://www.dawn.com/news/1913882 

4. https://punjablaws.punjab.gov.pk/uploads/articles/the-anti-terrorism-act-1997-pdf.pdf 

5. https://pcps.punjab.gov.pk/maintenance_of_public_order

6. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2602563/amp 

7.