Tazeen Akhtar
The UN “experts” at Geneva have presented a one sided “Charter of Demands” for Pakistan to immediately release detained Baloch human rights defenders and cease its crackdown on “peaceful” protesters. The group of experts issued their statement on 26 March 2025 without condemnation on innocent killings in armed terrorists’ attacks on LeAs posts , recent train hijack , brutal murders of passengers at roads by the BLA agents.
“We have been monitoring with growing concern reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists over the past number of months, and the violent incidents in the past few days have significantly increased our concerns,” the experts said.
Pakistan has rationally responded to the Charter of Demands of the experts who have never been to Balochistan for first hand knowledge.
The spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs of Pakistan makes clear, ” The UN experts statement appears to be based on selective and unverified media reports. Regrettably, these comments lack balance and proportionality, downplaying civilian casualties inflicted by terrorist attacks while disregarding the crimes committed by miscreants who deliberately disrupt public services, obstruct freedom of movement, and create an atmosphere of insecurity.
The UN experts expressed concern about what they state, a escalating series of actions by the Pakistan police against the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a network advocating for the rights of the minority Baloch community. These actions intensified after a terrorist attack by Baloch separatists on a passenger train on 11 March 2025, after which several prominent Baloch human rights defenders from the BYC were allegedly arrested by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department or forcibly disappeared.
On 21 March 2025, Quetta Police stormed a peaceful BYC protest in front of the University of Balochistan calling for the release of detained and forcibly disappeared activists. Three people were reportedly shot and killed while others were injured, and dozens more were arrested.
“Once again we see the use of excessive force as a first response to peaceful protests,” the experts said. “We understand the deeply traumatic impact of the 11 March terrorist attack, and we express our deepest sympathy to the victims of this attacks, yet a response which relies on arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and violent crackdowns on freedom of assembly cannot alleviate that trauma.”
In response to this incident, BYC, including Mahrang Baloch, a woman human rights defender and a leader of the movement, organised a sit-in, with the bodies of those killed in the police operation on 21 March 2025 to protest police violence. At around 5:30 am on 22 March 2025, this demonstration on Saryab Road, Quetta was raided by police, who used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters. Several BYC activists, including Mahrang Baloch, were detained. The whereabouts of Mahrang were reportedly unknown for nearly 12 hours, and she was allegedly denied access to family visits or legal counsel. Mahrang and numerous other BYC members have been reportedly charged under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
On 24 March, another prominent BYC member and woman human rights defender, Sammi Deen Baloch, was arrested alongside others in front of the Karachi Press Club by the Karachi Police as she protested against the crackdown. Her detention has been reportedly ordered for 30 days under the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
BLA Terrorists Hit Hard Again in Balochistan – Shot Down 7 Punjabi Laborers in Panjgur District
“We are extremely concerned for the welfare of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch and other human rights defenders detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. We urge the Pakistani authorities to immediately release them and to refrain from abusing counter-terrorism or public safety measures against human rights defenders, and we call on the authorities to clarify without delay the fate and whereabouts of all those reportedly subjected to enforced disappearances,” the experts said.
The experts also called on the Government of Pakistan to address conditions conducive to terrorism, in line with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The experts are in contact with the authorities of Pakistan regarding their concerns.
( The Experts: Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Gabriella Citroni (Chairperson), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chairperson), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
Endorsed by: Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstić, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls; and Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues.)
The experts overlooked the reality that Balochi are not minority there. They are ruling their province. Balochistan has its own legislature and provincial government with pure Balochi Chief Minister and cabinet of ministers. Moreover , the Police is provincial department that takes orders from provincial gov.
Also notable, that the experts ignored is , Mahrang Baloch and accomplices stormed if not attacked , a hospital to snatch the dead bodies of those who could not be identified as , they were travelers of hijacked train or the terrorists who were hit in rescue operation.
Pakistani Spokesperson’s Response to Questions About Statement by UN Human Rights Experts ;
We have taken note of the press release issued by certain UN experts, which appears to be based on selective and unverified media reports. It is imperative that public statements of this nature adhere to principles of objectivity, avoid selective criticism, reflect factual accuracy, and acknowledge the full context of the situation.
Regrettably, these comments lack balance and proportionality, downplaying civilian casualties inflicted by terrorist attacks while disregarding the crimes committed by miscreants who deliberately disrupt public services, obstruct freedom of movement, and create an atmosphere of insecurity.
Any credible assessment must recognize that these elements are not mere protesters but active participants in a broader campaign of lawlessness and violence. Their abuses of law and human rights violations cannot be ignored.
Hiding behind a façade of alleged grievances, these elements are operating in collusion with terrorists—evident from their coordinated efforts to obstruct State responses, including synchronized roadblocks facilitating terrorist attacks.
Multiple Attacks in Balochistan – What , Where, How, Who, Why – by Tazeen Akhtar
The latest proof of this nexus was their unlawful storming of the District Hospital in Quetta, where they forcibly seized the bodies of five terrorists eliminated during the Jaffar Express hostage rescue operation. Three of these bodies were retrieved back from these violent protestors by the police.
International human rights law unequivocally prohibits individuals, entities, or groups from weaponizing rights to infringe upon the rights and security of others. It also firmly upholds the right of sovereign States to take lawful and necessary action to maintain public order and ensure the safety of their citizens.
The Government is duty-bound to protect the lives and security of its people, particularly in areas where innocent civilians bear the brunt of foreign-sponsored terrorism. It has consistently pursued policies aimed at fostering social and economic development for all segments of society, regardless of ethnic or religious background. However, the persistent threat posed by terrorists and their enablers—through heinous attacks on civilians, security forces, and vital public infrastructure—undermines these efforts.
In this regard, the measures undertaken by the Government are fully consistent with international law, which categorically prohibits incitement to violence and terrorism. There can be no tolerance, let alone impunity, for terrorists, their facilitators, or their abettors.
Institutional and legal mechanisms remain fully available for all citizens seeking redress in accordance with their constitutional rights.
” We maintain an open and constructive dialogue with UN Special Procedures Mandate Holders and will continue our engagement based on principles of mutual respect, objectivity, and adherence to facts, the spokesperson concluded.
