Pakistani authorities have registered another First Information Report (FIR) against Dr. Mahrang Baloch, central organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), along with 80 participants of a gathering held in the Tepul area of Naseerabad.
The event was part of the BYC’s awareness campaign across Balochistan in preparation for a national gathering on January 25 in Dalbandin, commemorating “Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day.”
The FIR alleges that the participants violated Section 144, a law banning public gatherings imposed by the government. However, the BYC accused officials of selectively enforcing such laws to suppress peaceful activism.
The group alleged that state agencies misuse the law to target Baloch people based on their identity and resistance to what they describe as “ongoing repression.”
This marks the second FIR against Dr. Mahrang in recent weeks. Last week, an FIR was filed in Mastung accusing her and other BYC members of similar violations. The BYC described the charges as “baseless” and part of a broader campaign to stifle dissent and peaceful political activism in Balochistan.
UN Raises Concerns Over Dr. Mahrang’s Safety
The latest FIRs come amid growing international concern for Dr. Mahrang’s safety. A United Nations special working group recently warned that her life and liberty are under “serious threat.”
In a formal communication to the Pakistani government, UN experts detailed allegations of harassment, arbitrary travel restrictions, and fabricated charges aimed at dissuading Dr. Mahrang from her human rights advocacy.
The UN letter detailed multiple FIRs against her, including accusations of terrorism and sedition, which they argued were designed to suppress her activism.
The letter also referenced an incident at Karachi Airport, where Dr. Mahrang was reportedly barred from traveling to New York for a TIME event honoring her work, and her passport was confiscated.
Additionally, the communication noted that in July 2024, Dr. Mahrang was charged with murder following a “Baloch National Gathering” in Gwadar. Security forces alleged that protesters under her leadership killed a soldier. Media reports, however, suggested that the army opened fire on a peaceful demonstration, causing multiple casualties.
The UN Working Group described these actions as part of a broader pattern of harassment against Baloch activists, particularly women. They warned that “the life, liberty, and personal safety of Ms. Mahrang Baloch remain at a heightened risk,” urging Pakistani authorities to ensure her safety and address the concerns raised.