Families and activists establish a protest camp in Islamabad calling for Release of BYC leaders and missing Baloch

Families of detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and relatives of missing persons in Balochistan have initiated a sit-in protest outside the Press Club in Islamabad. They are demanding an end to enforced disappearances and the immediate release of activists detained without due process. The protest, which has been ongoing for several days, highlights the ongoing plight of families seeking justice and accountability for their loved ones.

The demonstration involves family members of BYC leadership, some of whom have been in custody for over three months, along with families of individuals forcibly disappeared from Balochistan. Many of these families have endured years of struggle, advocating tirelessly for the safe return of their loved ones without any tangible resolution or justice. Their persistent efforts underscore the deep-seated frustration and desperation that persist across Balochistan.

During a press conference at the protest site, participants expressed their hope that traveling to the federal capital might finally bring attention to their cause. They lamented that in Balochistan, their voices are often suppressed, and media censorship hinders the dissemination of their grievances. One speaker emphasized that “our cries are silenced in our own land,” illustrating the severe restrictions faced by those seeking justice.

The families described Balochistan as an “information black hole,” where narratives opposing state-approved versions are systematically silenced. They accused authorities of controlling the flow of information and preventing any dissenting voices from emerging. “Any voice that dares speak against injustice is silenced,” they asserted, highlighting the oppressive environment in which they struggle to secure their rights.

They further criticized state institutions for creating a facade of peace while, on the ground, repression, enforced disappearances, and political intimidation continue unabated. The protesters pointed to recent arrests of prominent BYC and human rights figures, such as Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Beebarg Zehri, Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Shah Jee Sibghatullah, Ghaffar Qambarani, and Imran Baloch, following a press conference in Quetta on March 19, 2024. These individuals were detained under colonial-era laws despite court orders for their release.

The organizers highlighted the legal irregularities surrounding the detention of the BYC leadership. Even after their detention period officially expired on June 22, they were held for an additional 20 days before being brought before an anti-terrorism court on July 8. There, they faced new charges and were remanded for ten days under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Since then, families have been denied visitation rights, and legal teams report facing obstructions and unfair treatment during court proceedings.

In their concluding remarks, the protesters outlined two primary demands: the immediate release of all detained Baloch political leaders and an end to the cycle of enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests in Balochistan. They called on Pakistani media, civil society, lawyers, and international organizations to unite in raising their voices and advocating for justice. The families also appealed to the United Nations and the global community to pressure the Pakistani government to uphold human rights and restore justice for the people of Balochistan.