During the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sabiha Baloch, a prominent activist from Balochistan, expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating human rights issues in the region. Representing the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), she pointed out a troubling trend of state-linked abuses despite Balochistan’s involvement in several foreign-backed development initiatives. Baloch’s remarks were aimed at drawing international attention to the deteriorating situation for the local population.

Issues of Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings

Baloch emphasized the alarming prevalence of enforced disappearances in the province. She alleged that individuals from the Baloch community are often taken under ambiguous circumstances, with their families left in distress, lacking information about their loved ones’ fates. In addition, she referred to alarming reports of extrajudicial killings and the discovery of mutilated bodies, suggesting these grave occurrences are indicative of a systematic pattern rather than mere anomalies.

Restrictions on Civil Liberties Highlighted

Addressing the impact on civil liberties, Baloch stated that professionals, journalists, students, lawyers, and human rights advocates frequently face threats, arrests, and prosecutions under harsh counter-terrorism legislation. This crackdown, she argued, is aimed at silencing dissent and stifling peaceful advocacy in Balochistan.

Continued Detention of Activist Leaders

Additionally, Baloch noted that several leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, including Mahrang Baloch, remain in prolonged detention, raising significant concerns regarding their treatment and the overall human rights landscape in the region. Her statements aimed to amplify the call for international scrutiny of the ongoing human rights violations.

Widespread Human Rights Violations Increasing Insecurity

The situation in Balochistan is characterized by a troubling trend of enforced disappearances, where some victims are released while others endure long-term detention or become targets of violent attacks. The violations of basic human rights contribute to a climate of fear and distrust within the local population. The persistent threat of arbitrary arrests, coupled with the absence of accountability, further destabilizes the region, undermining efforts to establish peace and trust in governmental institutions.

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