International rights groups, UN officials, and global activists have called for the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch human rights defender, following her arrest during a protest in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.
Dr. Baloch, the central organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was arrested on Saturday morning at a sit-in on Sariab Road, where demonstrators had gathered alongside the bodies of three individuals allegedly killed by police gunfire a day earlier.
According to protesters, they were demanding justice for the three deceased and calling for the release of forcibly disappeared BYC activist Bebarg Baloch, his brother and Bolan Medical College Vice Principal Dr. Ilyas Baloch, as well as Baloch activist Saeeda and several others.
A day earlier, on Friday, Pakistani security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in Quetta, killing three people and injuring more than a dozen. Activists claim the rally had started peacefully but turned violent when Pakistani forces used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.
Amnesty International’s Statement
Amnesty International said on Sunday that Dr. Baloch had been held for over 38 hours without access to lawyers or family.
“There are also worrying reports of continued arbitrary arrests and detentions across Balochistan,”
Amnesty added, calling on Pakistani authorities to release Dr. Baloch immediately and “stop implicating activists in frivolous cases.”
Amnesty also denounced Friday’s police violence in Quetta, calling it a “shocking indictment” of Pakistan’s disregard for human life.
“The alarming news of at least three deaths and nearly a dozen injuries is a shocking indictment of the Pakistani authorities’ utter disregard for human life,” Amnesty said.
The group criticised the mobile network shutdown in Quetta, saying it hindered “the free flow of information.”
It called for an immediate end to the crackdown and an investigation into the unlawful use of force.
UN Official and Global Rights Groups Demand Release
Front Line Defenders also demanded Dr Baloch’s release, calling the arrest retaliation for her human rights work.
The group confirmed that Dr Baloch, her sister, and two other activists are being held at Hudda District Prison in Quetta.
— Front Line Defenders (@FrontLineHRD) March 22, 2025
#Pakistan
We are calling for the immediate release of prominent WHRD Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who was arrested by Pakistani police early this morning at a peaceful protest in Quetta.
We also call for the release of HRD Bebarg Zehri and his brother, abducted from their home on 20… pic.twitter.com/cRDxQWZRuq
“We believe her arrest is retaliation for exposing human rights violations by state authorities,” Front Line Defenders said.
It also highlighted the broader crackdown on Baloch activists, including the abduction of BYC leader Bebarg Zehri and the killing of three protesters during demonstrations.
Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, expressed alarm at the arrests.
“Very concerned by reports that Dr Mahrang Baloch and a number of other HRDs have been arrested in Balochistan following a crackdown,” she posted on X, urging Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety of those detained.
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg also condemned the crackdown, accusing Pakistani forces of terror tactics in Balochistan. She described the region as a “war zone,” alleging systematic abductions and killings of students, academics, and activists.
“These atrocities violate Pakistan’s GSP+ trade conditions with the EU… The international community must act and hold Pakistan accountable,”
she said, voicing solidarity with the Baloch people’s struggle.
PEN Norway demanded Dr Baloch’s immediate release and access to legal counsel.
“Human rights defenders like Dr Mahrang Baloch should not be detained for exercising their right to free expression,”the group said.
Family Denied Access
Dr Baloch’s family says they have not been allowed to meet her since her arrest.
Her sister said Dr Baloch had not been presented in court nor permitted to speak with her lawyer.
“This morning, we waited outside the jail for more than two hours but were denied access. We were not even allowed to deliver clothes and food,” she said.
In a statement posted on Dr Baloch’s X account, her sister urged the public to raise their voice for the “safe release of Mahrang Baloch, Beboow Baloch, Bebarg Baloch, and their friends.”
“As long as she (Mahrang) remains unlawfully detained by the state of Pakistan, I will be managing this account and providing updates on her situation,” the post read.
Protests continue across Balochistan
Protests continued for the third consecutive day in multiple cities of Balochistan against the crackdown and arrests.
Protesters gathered in Hub on the Karachi-Quetta Highway, where traffic was suspended due to road blockades.
According to local sources, police fired tear gas at BYC protesters and arrested several demonstrators, including Imran Baloch, who was transferred to an undisclosed location.
They added that around 15 protesters, including women, were injured in the violence.
In a post, the BYC claimed that one protester was arrested earlier at Hub as “police and security personnel launched a crackdown on the protest camp, where families of missing persons and BYC activists were peacefully gathered.”
“They dismantled the tent, fired tear gas, and opened fire, sabotaging the protest,” it added.
A shutter-down strike continued for the second day in Turbat, where demonstrators gathered at the main square demanding Dr Baloch’s release.
Protests also continued in Kech, Panjgur, Kalat, Kharan, Chagai, and Noshki, with businesses shut and traffic suspended.
Mobile services and internet access have been cut off in several areas.
Meanwhile, in Quetta, Khuzdar, and other locations, the BYC temporarily postponed protests, saying the next course of action would be decided on Sunday.
Murder and terrorism charges filed against Dr Baloch
Pakistani authorities have registered multiple cases, including murder and terrorism charges, against Dr Baloch and other BYC leaders.
The cases relate to the deaths of three individuals killed in police firing during protests in Quetta.
Police said three separate FIRs were registered against Dr Baloch at Civil Line, Brewery, and Sariab police stations.
The Sariab Police Station FIR, filed on 22 March, includes Section 7 and 11-W of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and 16 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Charges listed include terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence, rebellion, racial hatred, and damaging property.
Police accused Dr Baloch and BYC leaders of assisting rioters who fired on police, civilians, and fellow protesters, resulting in three deaths and injuries to 15 police officers.
Other BYC members named in the case include Beboow Baloch, Gulzadi Satakzai, Sabiha Baloch, Sebghatullah Baloch, Gulzar Dost, Riaz Baloch, Dr Shalli Baloch, and Dr Benazir.
A second case accuses BYC activists of storming Quetta’s Civil Hospital morgue and forcibly taking the bodies of those allegedly involved in the Jaffar Express train attack.
A third case at Brewery Police Station accuses BYC leaders of blocking Quetta’s Western Bypass Road, chanting slogans against the state, and inciting the public.
The BYC called these charges “false and politically motivated”, pledging to continue its protests against “state oppression.”
Who is Dr Mahrang Baloch?
Dr Mahrang Baloch is a recognized Baloch human rights defender and organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
She has been outspoken against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations in Balochistan.
In late 2023, she led a 1,000-mile march of Baloch women from Balochistan to Islamabad, demanding justice for victims of enforced disappearances. She was arrested twice during that march.
Dr. Baloch has been acknowledged internationally—featured in BBC’s 100 most influential women and Time magazine’s 100 emerging leaders in 2024. She has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.