A group of United Nations human rights experts has urged Pakistan to release detained Baloch activists and cease the crackdown on peaceful protests. According to a UN Human Rights Special Procedures press release, the experts expressed concern over the alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists over the past months, with recent violent incidents raising further alarm.

Crackdown on Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)

The experts highlighted an escalating series of actions by the Pakistan police against the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which intensified after a terrorist attack by Baloch separatists on a passenger train on March 11, 2025. Following this incident, several prominent BYC human rights defenders were allegedly arrested by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department or forcibly disappeared.

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Violent Dispersal of Protests in Quetta

On March 21, Quetta police stormed a peaceful BYC protest outside the University of Balochistan, where activists were demanding the release of detained and disappeared members. The incident reportedly left three people dead, several injured, and dozens arrested.

Excessive Use of Force Condemned

The UN experts criticized the excessive use of force, stating, “Once again we see the use of excessive force as a first response to peaceful protests.” They acknowledged the trauma caused by the March 11 attack but emphasized that arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and violent crackdowns would not alleviate the suffering.

Detention of Women Human Rights Defenders

Prominent BYC leaders, including Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, were detained following the protests. Mahrang Baloch was reportedly denied family visits and legal counsel for nearly 12 hours, while Sammi Deen Baloch was arrested on March 24 in front of the Karachi Press Club and detained for 30 days under the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.

Call for Immediate Action
The UN experts expressed grave concern for the welfare of the detained activists and urged Pakistani authorities to:

  • Immediately release all detained human rights defenders.
  • Refrain from misusing counter-terrorism laws against peaceful protesters.
  • Clarify the fate and whereabouts of all individuals subjected to enforced disappearances.

Appeal to Address Root Causes of Violence

The experts emphasized that Pakistan must address the root causes conducive to terrorism in line with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and respect human rights in counter-terrorism efforts.

Signatories of the UN Statement

The statement was signed by several UN experts, including Mary Lawlor, Ben Saul, Morris Tidball-Binz, and members of various UN working groups on human rights, freedom of assembly, and protection against discrimination.