European lawmakers have expressed “grave concern” over the detention of prominent Baloch human rights activists in Pakistan and called on the European Union to intervene.
In a letter addressed to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, environmentalist Carola Rackete and three Members of the European Parliament — Michael McNamara, Rima Hassan, and Li Andersson — raised alarm over the arrest and alleged harassment of members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), including Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Zehri, and Sammi Deen Baloch.
“We express grave concern over the unlawful detention and harassment of Baloch activists and human rights defenders in Pakistan,” the letter reads. “These individuals are being targeted for their peaceful struggle against human rights violations in Balochistan.”
Dr Mahrang Baloch, the organiser of the BYC and a well-known human rights activist, was arrested on 22 March during a peaceful sit-in protest in Quetta. She remains imprisoned at Hudda District Jail.
Bebarg Zehri, a BYC central committee member who is disabled, was reportedly taken from his home on 20 March and is currently held by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The letter noted concerns that he is being denied access to medical treatment.
The MEPs also referenced the detention of Sammi Deen Baloch, who was held at Karachi Central Jail. Although a court ordered her release on 25 March, she was rearrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance, severely limiting her access to legal counsel.
“These unlawful detentions represent a systematic assault on the rights of the Baloch people,” the letter states.
Sammi Deen Baloch was later released on Tuesday after the Sindh government removed her name from the MPO list.
The signatories called on the European Commission and the international community to “urgently engage with Pakistani authorities to ensure the immediate release of these activists and to safeguard fundamental human rights in Balochistan.”