The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has formally accepted the case of Baloch human rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch for review.
The case was submitted by Kurtuluş Baştimar, an international legal advisor representing Dr Baloch. He confirmed the development in a statement on social media.
“I am glad to inform you that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is going to start examining the individual application that I submitted on behalf of my client @MahrangBaloch_,” he said in a post on X.
Mr Baştimar also said he would travel to Geneva to engage directly with UN institutions regarding the case.
Dr Mahrang Baloch, the central organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was arrested a month ago during a peaceful sit-in protest in Quetta.
She has been charged under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws, including allegations of sedition and murder. Human rights organisations have described the charges as “politically motivated” and called for her immediate release.
Following her arrest, protests and sit-ins were held across Balochistan, including in Turbat, Gwadar, Khuzdar, and other parts of the region.
UN human rights experts have previously expressed concern over her detention and the broader crackdown on political dissent in the region.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention investigates cases of alleged unlawful detention and has the authority to request information from governments.
The case review is being seen as a significant development in drawing international attention to human rights violations in Balochistan.
Detention Period Extended
On Monday, the Balochistan government extended Dr Baloch’s detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance for another 30 days.
“After completion of 30 days of detention under 3MPO, today once again the MPO order of Dr Mahrang Baloch and Beebow Baloch has been extended for 30 more days,” her lawyer Imran Baloch wrote on X.
Other BYC leaders and activists—including Shah Ji Sibghatullah, Bebarg Baloch, Beebow Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch—remain in custody under the same law.
Legal advisors and rights groups have called their detention “arbitrary” and in violation of international legal norms.
‘We’ve Been Met Not with Justice, But Humiliation’ — Sister’s Statement
Marking one month since her arrest, Dr Baloch’s sister, Nadia Baloch, issued a statement accusing the state of subjecting the family to harassment and humiliation.
“It’s been a month—30 long, agonising days—since Dr Mahrang Baloch was unlawfully incarcerated under 3MPO,” she said.
“We’ve knocked on every legal door, pursued every constitutional path available. Yet at every turn, we’ve been met not with justice but with humiliation.”
She added: “The courts failed us. The justice system failed us. Every government office treated us not just with indifference, but with mockery—as if to remind us, day after day, that we are not even second-class citizens of this country.”
Ms Baloch said peaceful protesters were harassed and misrepresented in the media.
“The government painted us not as peaceful protestors, but as violent and armed agitators. It was a lie then, and it’s a lie now.”
Describing the personal toll, she said: “My sister, my light, my strength—my teacher of patience—is behind bars. I carry this pain with the dignity she taught me, but not everyone has the strength to do the same.”
She concluded by urging the government to end what she described as a campaign of repression and vowed that their voices “will not be silenced”.