The protest by relatives of Baloch missing persons and families of arrested leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) entered its sixth consecutive day on Monday despite multiple obstacles.
Relatives have been prevented by Islamabad police for the third consecutive day from reaching the Press Club and have been denied permission to set up tents. As a result, Baloch women protesters were forced to continue their demonstration in heavy rain under open skies.
In a statement, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said that despite continuous rainfall and roadblocks leading to the Islamabad Press Club, the families remain steadfast in their peaceful protest. They demand the release of BYC leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
A large police contingent arrived at the protest site today. According to BYC, the police and Islamabad administration are harassing protesters under the pretext of identification, a move the organization strongly condemns.
The BYC warned that any harm coming to protesters would be the sole responsibility of Islamabad police and Pakistani authorities. The protesters vow to continue raising their voices despite rain and intimidation.
The families have two primary demands: the withdrawal of fabricated charges against BYC leadership and their release, and the cessation of enforced disappearances along with the recovery of missing persons in Balochistan.
Late on Sunday night, authorities also evicted some families from their residential rental flats, forcing them to spend the night at various locations.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has called upon international human rights organizations and media outlets to take notice of this critical situation and help safeguard the fundamental human rights of the protesters.