Five leading international human rights organizations have written to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing “grave concern” over the ongoing crackdown on Baloch human rights defenders and political activists, including mass arrests, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of peaceful protests.
The joint letter—signed by Amnesty International, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Front Line Defenders, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)—calls for the immediate release of all detained activists and an end to a “systematic attack” on Baloch voices.
“The attacks on BYC leaders and supporters, who are peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, not only violate Pakistan’s constitution but also its international legal obligations,” the letter states.
It says Pakistani authorities have “consistently weaponized” laws such as the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act to criminalize Baloch civic resistance and “unlawfully detain BYC leaders and members.”
The letter highlights the arrest of BYC member Bebarg Zehri, a person with disability, who has been detained under the MPO since 20 March. It notes that “Bebarg Zehri remains detained to date,” and that “his arrest was followed by police opening fire on a peaceful protest in Quetta on 21 March, killing three people and injuring at least seven.”
It adds that in the early hours of 22 March, “women human rights defenders (WHRDs) Mahrang Baloch and Beebow Baloch were arrested from a peaceful sit-in in Quetta.” The organizations say the women were “denied access to legal counsel or family members for several hours,” raising concerns for their safety.
The letter also draws attention to the “re-arrest of BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch under the MPO, despite her being granted bail by a Karachi court,” calling this “a deliberate strategy to prevent release and prolong detention.”
“The harassment tactics reflect the intention of Pakistan authorities to intimidate and dismantle the BYC and the work of Baloch human rights defenders,” the letter continues.
It further highlights concerns over the health of Beebow Baloch, who was transferred to Pishin Prison on 23 April, where her medical condition reportedly deteriorated. She was moved to a hospital on 2 May but sent back to Hudda Jail, “despite her condition not having improved.” The family alleges that she was “subject to physical torture” during the transfer.
The letter also mentions a raid on 18 April at the home of Israr Baloch, a lawyer representing BYC activists, where law enforcement officers allegedly “threatened his family with consequences” if he did not stop his legal work.
Further cases highlighted include the arrest of BYC member ShahJi Sebghat Ullah on 30 March, the detention of Gulzadi Baloch on 7 April, and the ongoing harassment of women activists like Sabiha Baloch, whose father was detained on 5 April and remains missing. “WHRD Sabiha Baloch, whose father was detained on 5 April and whose whereabouts remain unknown, faces threat of imminent arrest on baseless charges,” the letter states.
The organizations said arrests during peaceful protests in Karachi on 25 April and in Quetta on 20 May, where at least 20 protesters were detained, illustrate the scale of the crackdown.
The letter also raises broader concerns over press freedom and digital censorship in Balochistan. It cites the arrest of journalist Waheed Murad for reporting on a Baloch politician’s statement, a case filed against lawyer Jalila Haider under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and the killing of journalist Abdul Latif Baloch on 24 May. His son, who had previously been forcibly disappeared, was found dead earlier this year.
The groups warn that frequent internet shutdowns in Balochistan further restrict the flow of information, isolate Baloch voices, and exacerbate the risks faced by human rights defenders, journalists, and at-risk communities.
The organizations called on the Pakistani government to “immediately and unconditionally release all Baloch HRDs and family members arbitrarily detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights.”
They urged authorities to “drop all charges against HRDs based solely on the exercise of their rights,” ensure access to legal counsel, family visits, and medical care, and conduct “a thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation into allegations of torture and mistreatment.”
“It is imperative that human rights are upheld and never sacrificed in the name of security,” the letter concludes.