BYC hosted a seminar on Human Rights Day amid state repression in Quetta

On International Human Rights Day, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) hosted a seminar in Quetta titled “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” at the Press Club. This event brought together a diverse group of intellectuals, human rights activists, political leaders, lawyers, students, journalists, and families of victims of enforced disappearances to address critical human rights issues affecting Balochistan.

Despite the peaceful intentions of the seminar, state authorities attempted to obstruct the event in multiple ways, highlighting ongoing state repression against the Baloch people. The seminar, which commemorated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), underscored the ongoing violations faced by Baloch individuals, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systemic discrimination.

Throughout the day, panel discussions, a documentary screening, and speeches aimed at elevating awareness of these issues took place, calling for immediate action against violence directed at the Baloch community. However, the event encountered deliberate efforts by Pakistani state forces to create barriers for participants and disrupt the proceedings.

The Quetta administration, in coordination with local police, required attendees to provide personal information—such as names, parentage, and CNIC (National Identity Card) numbers—before they were allowed entry to the Press Club. The BYC condemned this invasive measure, calling it a tactic to profile Baloch political and human rights activists, thereby exposing them to potential harassment and legal consequences.

Repressive tactics were not limited to Quetta; similar actions were observed in other parts of Balochistan, where the BYC organized peaceful rallies and protests to highlight ongoing human rights violations by state forces. In Hub Chowki, authorities blocked the entrance to the Lasbela Press Club with garbage trucks to prevent a public awareness walk, while in Turbat, efforts were made to sabotage another BYC seminar by profiling participants.

Despite having obtained the necessary No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and adhering to standard procedures for organizing these seminars, state authorities violated the fundamental rights of the Baloch population, including the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protest. These actions starkly contradict the principles of the UDHR, which Pakistan signed in 1948, highlighting the state’s ongoing disregard for its human rights obligations.

The seminar organizers condemned these unlawful actions as part of a broader strategy to suppress the Baloch struggle for justice. “It is clear that the Pakistani state is deliberately dehumanizing the Baloch people, making Balochistan a ‘human rights free-zone.’ On a day meant to honor universal human rights, the state’s actions further violate the dignity and political rights of the Baloch,” stated the BYC.

The BYC emphasized that Human Rights Day should serve as more than just a date; it should be a call to uphold the dignity, freedom, and rights of all people, irrespective of race, creed, or origin. Seventy-six years after the United Nations adopted the UDHR, the fundamental rights to life, liberty, security, and freedom from torture remain largely unfulfilled in Balochistan. The region has endured decades of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systemic repression, as families silently mourn for their missing loved ones while those responsible act with impunity.

The BYC articulated the plight of Baloch youth, noting that those simply demanding education, health care, and resources are labeled as traitors, while journalists are silenced and activists face harassment. Despite the extraction of Balochistan’s natural wealth, the local populace continues to live in poverty, lacking basic resources in schools, hospitals, and communities.

Yet, the resilience of the Baloch people remains unshaken. The cries for justice, equality, and the right to live with dignity resonate through the mountains and deserts of Balochistan, demanding attention. “Human rights are not abstract; they must be upheld every day. Balochistan deserves peace, justice, and dignity. As long as there is oppression, we will resist. As long as there is silence, we will speak. As long as there is hope, we will strive for a better tomorrow,” the BYC affirmed.

The event concluded with a call for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its human rights violations, urging collective action in the quest for justice and equality. The BYC’s message remains clear: the struggle for Baloch rights is not merely a local issue but a global concern that necessitates urgent attention and intervention. Undeterred by state obstacles, the BYC reiterated its commitment to raise awareness about human rights abuses in Balochistan and work towards a future where the Baloch people can live freely and without fear of repression.