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A coalition of UN-appointed independent human rights experts has urged the Pakistani government to promptly release Baloch human rights defenders currently in detention and to cease its violent suppression of peaceful protests. The experts expressed alarm over the increasing number of arrests and forced disappearances involving Baloch activists, especially in light of recent violent incidents that have heightened their concerns.
The experts specifically referenced the actions of the Pakistani police against the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) following a deadly assault by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on a passenger train on March 11, 2025. In the wake of this attack, several Baloch human rights defenders affiliated with the BYC were arrested or forcibly disappeared by the Counter Terrorism Department of Pakistan.
“We have been closely monitoring reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists in recent months, and the violent incidents of the past few days have significantly escalated our worries,” the experts noted.
According to a UN report, on March 21, 2025, the Quetta police intervened violently against a peaceful BYC protest outside the University of Balochistan, where demonstrators were advocating for the release of detained and missing activists. This police action resulted in the deaths of three individuals and numerous injuries, along with dozens of arrests.
“Once again, we witness excessive force being employed as the initial reaction to peaceful demonstrations,” the experts stated. “While we acknowledge the profound trauma caused by the terrorist attack on March 11 and extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims, a response that relies on arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and violent crackdowns on the right to assemble cannot alleviate that trauma.”
Following the police violence, the BYC organized a sit-in protest on Saryab Road in Quetta on March 22, 2025, showcasing the bodies of those killed during the police operation on March 21. This protest was met with another police raid employing batons and tear gas, resulting in the detention of several BYC activists, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a key leader of the movement. Dr. Mahrang’s whereabouts remained unknown for nearly 12 hours, during which she was reportedly denied family visitation and legal representation.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, along with numerous other BYC members, faces charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The report further detailed that on March 24, 2025, another prominent BYC member, Sammi Deen Baloch, was arrested by Karachi police while protesting against the ongoing crackdown. Sammi Deen and several other activists were detained under the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance for 30 days.
“We are deeply concerned for the well-being of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, and other human rights defenders who have been detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. We urge the Pakistani authorities to release them immediately and to refrain from exploiting counter-terrorism or public safety laws against human rights defenders. We also call on the authorities to urgently clarify the fate and whereabouts of all individuals reported as having been subjected to enforced disappearances,” the experts asserted.
The experts also called for Pakistan to provide clarity on the fate and locations of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances and to ensure that its counter-terrorism efforts are consistent with the UN’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
This group of UN human rights experts, which includes Mary Lawlor (Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders) and Gabriella Citroni (Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances), emphasized their independent capacities, noting that their views do not necessarily reflect official policies of the UN or OHCHR.
The experts remain in ongoing communication with Pakistani authorities regarding their concerns, pressing for immediate actions to address human rights violations and to ensure the safety of detained Baloch activists.
