Family members of detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders staged a sit-in outside Hudda Jail in Quetta on Saturday, demanding meetings with their relatives and an end to what they described as “faceless trials” against Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders.
The protest came as detained BYC leaders continued their own sit-in inside the jail for the eighth consecutive day, rejecting what the organisation says are unfair and non-transparent proceedings being conducted without the accused and their chosen lawyers.
Nadia Baloch, sister of Dr Mahrang Baloch, said families had gathered outside Hudda Jail to support the detainees’ demand for fair and transparent proceedings.
“Our demands are clear: end faceless trials, convert proceedings into open court hearings, and replace the biased judge,” she said.
Nadia Baloch said Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders had been protesting inside the jail for eight days against the trial process, while families were seeking access to them and information about their condition.
“We will continue our struggle until this oppression ends,” she said, calling on people from all walks of life to join the sit-in and “be the voice of those who once were your voice.”
She alleged that police tried to disrupt the sit-in outside the jail, but said the protesters remained peaceful and continued their demonstration.
According to Nadia Baloch, protesters agreed to clear the road and continue their sit-in on the roadside after authorities assured them that family members would be allowed to meet the detained leaders at 2:00pm.
She said a large police force later arrived at the site, raising fears that a crackdown could be launched either against the families outside the jail or against the BYC leaders protesting inside the prison.
Several participants and supporters also alleged that police attempted to harass and detain family members taking part in the demonstration.
Shalee Baloch, chief organiser of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), said the reported use of force and harassment of families by police and jail authorities during a peaceful gathering outside Hudda Jail was “deeply concerning.”
She said the families were only seeking access to their loved ones and clarity about their condition amid the ongoing “faceless trial” process.
The BWF leader said the continued sit-in by BYC leaders inside the jail and the families’ protest outside the prison had increased concerns over fairness, due process and transparency in the handling of the case.
Dr Sabiha Baloch also condemned the reported actions against the protesters, saying family members had assembled peacefully to seek information about detained relatives and assert their basic rights, but were met with harassment and intimidation.
“The deployment of police pressure against grieving families reveals a state apparatus that views peaceful dissent as something to be crushed rather than heard,” Dr Sabiha said.
Advocate Sajid Tareen also criticised the police conduct towards the families, calling it “shameful” and saying a fair judicial trial was the right of every person under the law.
‘Trial Without Chosen Lawyers’
In separate statements, the BYC said its detained leaders had rejected both the “faceless trial” procedure and state-appointed lawyers, but alleged that court proceedings continued despite their refusal.
According to the BYC, prison authorities informed the court that the detained leaders had rejected the procedure and did not accept court-appointed counsel.
The BYC said every accused person had the legal right to choose their own lawyer, adding that imposing legal representation against their wishes violated fundamental principles of justice and due process.
It further alleged that prosecution authorities had pressured the court to expedite the proceedings, saying hearings without the accused or their chosen legal team undermined judicial independence and transparency.
The developments come as a verdict in the case against Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders is scheduled to be announced on Monday, June 22.
According to members of the defence team, the trial concluded without the accused or their chosen lawyers being present, after family access was restricted, defence counsel were reportedly denied meetings with their clients and state-appointed lawyers were assigned to represent the accused.
Advocate Jadain Dashti Baloch, Vice Chairman of the Balochistan Bar and a member of Dr Mahrang Baloch’s legal team, criticised the proceedings on social media, saying they reflected the condition of state institutions and the judicial system.
The BYC called on bar councils, lawyers’ organisations, human rights groups, journalists and civil society to speak out against the trial process and support demands for open-court proceedings, family meetings and access to independently chosen legal counsel.
Authorities have not publicly responded in detail to the allegations raised by the families, lawyers, and the BYC regarding the conduct of the trial and the events outside Hudda Jail.