Greta Thunberg and Narges Mohammadi Foundation Condemn Life Sentence for Mahrang Baloch

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, alongside the Narges Mohammadi Foundation from Iran and PEN Norway, has strongly condemned the recent life sentences handed down to prominent Baloch rights activists Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shahji. The organizations expressed their concern over what they described as unjust and opaque proceedings against these human rights defenders.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta sentenced Dr. Mahrang and Sibghatullah Shahji on Monday in connection with a case linked to the death of a Frontier Corps (FC) official during a protest in Gwadar in 2024. The verdict has sparked international outrage, highlighting concerns about the fairness and transparency of the trial process.

The two activists, along with other detained members of the Baloch Youth Committee (BYC) and their lawyers, boycotted the court proceedings. They criticized the trial as a “faceless” process held inside Quetta jail, which deprived them of the opportunity for a fair and open defense, further fueling accusations of judicial bias.

In her statement, Greta Thunberg referred to the trial as a “mockery of justice” and a clear attempt to silence the voices of the Baloch people. She emphasized that Dr. Mahrang, a medical doctor and human rights defender, had been targeted solely for her peaceful activism and advocacy for justice.

Thunberg highlighted Dr. Mahrang’s role in transforming grief over her father’s enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing into a movement that represents thousands of Baloch families. She reiterated that her “crime” was demanding basic human rights through peaceful protests, marches, and calls for accountability.

“She is not a criminal; she is a courageous human rights defender,” Thunberg stated. She explained that Dr. Mahrang’s activism had been rooted in the pursuit of justice without resorting to violence, with her “weapons” being peaceful demonstrations and truth-telling.

Thunberg accused the Pakistani state of criminalizing dissent by using anti-terrorism laws to imprison activists peacefully advocating for their rights. She condemned the state’s resort to what she termed “judicial terrorism” when other methods of suppression failed to silence dissent.

The climate activist emphasized that the closed-door trial proceedings stripped the defendants of transparency and due process. She described the process as a “predetermined setup,” designed not to serve justice but to carry out political vengeance against those challenging exploitation and repression.

Greta Thunberg warned that these sentences aim to instill fear among the youth and silence voices demanding dignity and justice for the Baloch people. She called this ruling an assault on Balochistan’s struggle for autonomy and human rights, portraying it as an attack on the region’s very soul.

In a joint statement, PEN Norway and the Narges Mohammadi Foundation voiced their “deep concern” over the convictions. They criticized the use of secret trials and video-link hearings, saying such practices undermine judicial independence, transparency, and the right to a fair trial under both national and international standards.

The organizations noted their longstanding interest in Dr. Mahrang’s case, having followed her detention since March 2025. They also highlighted previous efforts to raise awareness with Pakistani diplomatic officials about her situation and the broader restrictions faced by Baloch human rights defenders.

Both Thunberg and the organizations called for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Mahrang, Sibghatullah Shahji, and other detained activists. They urged Pakistani authorities to quash their convictions and end the crackdown on civil society, which they view as an arbitrary and unjust suppression of peaceful activism and dissent.