Human rights experts affiliated with the United Nations Human Rights Council have expressed concern over the life sentences handed to Baloch rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch, stating that counter-terrorism laws and murder charges should not be used to restrict peaceful protest or freedom of expression.
In a statement issued from Geneva, the independent experts said they were concerned about the sentencing of Dr Mahrang Baloch and called on Pakistani authorities to ensure the protection of the rights of detained human rights defenders. They emphasised that anti-terrorism legislation should not be employed to suppress peaceful civic and political activities.
The development comes weeks after a delegation from the Baloch National Movement, led by its chairman Dr Naseem Baloch, participated in the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. According to BNM, the delegation attended conferences and held meetings with UN special rapporteurs and human rights officials.
BNM said that during those meetings it raised concerns regarding alleged human rights violations in Balochistan, including the imprisonment of Dr Mahrang Baloch, the use of anti-terrorism legislation, enforced disappearances, collective punishment and other reported rights-related issues in the region.
According to the organisation, UN officials informed the delegation that they would engage with relevant special procedures to assess the possibility of issuing a joint communication or statement regarding Dr Mahrang Baloch’s case and the broader human rights situation in Balochistan.
Following the UN experts’ statement, BNM’s Foreign Department welcomed the remarks, describing them as a reflection of growing international concern over the human rights situation in Balochistan.
In a statement, the department said international attention to legal proceedings against Baloch human rights activists represented an important step towards accountability and justice. It added that BNM had, over an extended period, engaged with various UN human rights mechanisms, independent experts and relevant institutions, while providing documentation relating to alleged human rights violations in Balochistan.
The organisation said the latest development formed part of broader diplomatic and human rights advocacy efforts aimed at highlighting concerns in the region at the international level.
BNM also called on the international community, the United Nations and human rights organisations to continue monitoring the situation in Balochistan, take measures to protect human rights defenders and encourage Pakistan to uphold its international human rights obligations.
The statement comes amid continuing international scrutiny of legal proceedings against Dr Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch activists. Several human rights organisations have previously raised concerns about the cases and called for fair trial guarantees and respect for fundamental rights.