In a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, Mehlab Baloch, accompanied by her mother, strongly condemned what she described as the “brutal oppression” faced by Baloch women at the hands of Karachi police and state institutions a day prior. Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) expressed its outrage over the violence inflicted upon peaceful Baloch protesters in Karachi.
Mehlab Baloch, the younger sister of Sammi Deen Baloch, stated that the police demonstrated extreme brutality against the demonstrators, dragging women on the streets, forcibly removing their veils, and illegally detaining them. This action, she said, revealed the fascist face of the state, which continuously subjects the Baloch people to oppression and injustice.
Mehlab Baloch also highlighted the case of her sister Sammi Deen Baloch, who was arrested with other Baloch women and protesters during the demonstration on Monday. The court granted bail to Sammi Deen and the others on the following day. However, as they were leaving the courthouse and heading home, Karachi police attempted to re-arrest Sammi Deen right outside the court, an act which was met with strong resistance from the legal community. “Lawyers fought for several hours to prevent the unlawful action, but ultimately, state repression triumphed over justice”, she said.
According to Baloch, the Karachi police not only violated court orders but also escalated the situation by summoning reinforcements and forcefully re-arresting Sammi Deen, an open display of “state thuggery.” She condemned the targeting of Baloch women and the use of “unconstitutional and inhuman tactics” by the authorities.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) made it clear that if Sammi Deen and other detainees are not immediately released and the oppression against Baloch women continues, the Baloch people and the BYC will be compelled to take a strong stand. They warned that the responsibility for the consequences of continued state brutality will fall squarely on the government, Sindh police, and other state institutions.
Baloch urged the people of Karachi, the legal community, human rights organizations, political and social groups, and all justice-loving citizens to raise their voices against this unlawful action. She called for the immediate and unconditional release of her sister Sammi Deen Baloch and demanded an end to the state “repression” against Baloch political activists. Furthermore, the BYC called for action against the responsible officers and legal proceedings against Karachi police and other state bodies for violating court orders.
The statement concluded with a plea to international human rights organizations to take notice of the situation and ensure the protection of Baloch women. “The humiliation of Baloch women is an affront to the entire Baloch nation. We will not accept it in any form,” Baloch declared.