Amnesty calls for halt to ‘systematic attacks and ongoing Crackdown’ on Baloch activists
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On Thursday, Amnesty International called on the Government of Pakistan to cease what it termed “systematic attacks” and a “relentless crackdown” on Baloch activists protesting alleged enforced disappearances and other human rights violations in Balochistan.
In a statement, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, demanded the immediate release of all detained Baloch activists who have been arrested “simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
“Pakistani authorities must release all Baloch activists at once,” Pant stated, emphasizing the need for a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the unlawful use of force during the peaceful protests on March 21. He urged that those responsible be held accountable and that the violations be effectively remedied.
Pant expressed concerns regarding Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Bebarg Zehri, highlighting that both have been denied adequate medical care in custody, with their health “severely deteriorating.”
He criticized the “weaponization of the legal system,” citing multiple first information reports (FIRs) and preventative detentions under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, which were imposed even after activists had been granted bail.
“This reflects a blatant disregard by law enforcement agencies for the rights of Baloch people under Pakistan’s Constitution and the country’s obligations under international human rights law,” the statement further noted.
Amnesty’s statement follows a similar plea from a group of independent UN human rights experts who, on Wednesday, demanded that the Pakistani government release Baloch rights defenders and end the crackdown on peaceful protests.
“We have been monitoring reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists with growing concern. The violent incidents in recent days have raised our apprehensions significantly,” the experts stated in a joint statement.
They expressed particular alarm at the detentions of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, urging the Pakistani authorities to immediately release them and to refrain from misusing counter-terrorism or public safety measures against human rights defenders. They also called for clarification regarding the fate and whereabouts of all individuals reported to be subjected to enforced disappearances.
