Prominent human rights activist and organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Dr. Mahrang Baloch, has acknowledged her nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, stating that the honor belongs to the victims of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
In a post on X, Dr. Baloch confirmed reports of her nomination, expressing gratitude but emphasizing that the recognition serves to highlight the plight of thousands of forcibly disappeared individuals.
“I am deeply honored by this nomination, but it is not about me,” she wrote. “It is about the thousands of Baloch who have been forcibly disappeared and the families demanding justice. The fight for human rights in Balochistan must not be ignored by global civil society and civilized nations.”
The news of her nomination was first reported by Norway-based Baloch journalist Kiyya Baloch, who revealed on social media that Dr. Baloch’s name is among the 338 nominees for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize—244 individuals and 94 organizations.
While the Nobel Foundation traditionally keeps nominations confidential for 50 years, those who submit nominations can choose to disclose them. Kiyya Baloch said he learned of Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s candidacy through sources involved in the process.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch has gained international recognition for her advocacy against enforced disappearances and other alleged human rights violations in Balochistan.
She has led long marches and protests to demand justice for the families of the disappeared, drawing significant global attention. Her work has earned her a place on BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women list and recognition by TIME magazine as one of the world’s top emerging leaders.
In 2023, Pakistani authorities reportedly barred her from traveling to New York to attend a TIME magazine event honoring her as one of 100 emerging leaders—a move widely condemned by human rights organizations.
Observers and commentators have described her Nobel nomination as a significant affirmation of her activism on behalf of the forcibly disappeared and the broader human rights struggle in Balochistan. However, Dr. Baloch maintains that any prestige associated with her nomination should serve as a platform to amplify the voices of those she represents.