Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, has voiced serious concerns over the recent violent crackdown on human rights activists and participants at the Baloch Raaji Muchi in Gwadar, Balochistan.
In a social media post, Lawlor highlighted alarming reports of violence and repression faced by those promoting human rights in the region through peaceful means. She emphasized the Pakistani government’s responsibility to uphold the rights of individuals advocating for human rights peacefully.
Link to the Mary Lawlor’s tweet: https://x.com/MaryLawlorhrds/status/1817913997494284384
Addressing Pakistan’s delegation to Geneva, Lawlor urged them to press the Pakistani government to honor its commitments to human rights protection as pledged to the United Nations.
Lawlor’s statement comes amidst escalating tensions and violence in Gwadar, where reports indicate that Pakistani security forces have attacked a Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s (BYC) gathering, arresting numerous participants. The crackdown has sparked concern among international human rights organizations, which have condemned the events and demanded that the Pakistani government cease using force against Baloch protesters and immediately disclose the whereabouts of detained and disappeared individuals.