International rights groups, UN officials, and global activists have called for the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch human rights defender, following her arrest during a protest in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.
Dr. Baloch, the central organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was arrested on Saturday morning at a sit-in on Sariab Road, where demonstrators had gathered alongside the bodies of three individuals allegedly killed by police gunfire a day earlier.
According to protesters, they were demanding justice for the three deceased and calling for the release of forcibly disappeared BYC activist Bebarg Baloch, his brother and Bolan Medical College Vice Principal Dr. Ilyas Baloch, as well as Baloch activist Saeeda and several others.
A day earlier, on Friday, Pakistani security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in Quetta, killing three people and injuring more than a dozen. Activists claim the rally had started peacefully but turned violent when Pakistani forces used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.
Amnesty International’s Statement
Amnesty International said on Sunday that Dr. Baloch had been held for over 38 hours without access to lawyers or family.
“There are also worrying reports of continued arbitrary arrests and detentions across Balochistan,”
Amnesty added, calling on Pakistani authorities to release Dr. Baloch immediately and “stop implicating activists in frivolous cases.”
Amnesty also denounced Friday’s police violence in Quetta, calling it a “shocking indictment” of Pakistan’s disregard for human life.
“The alarming news of at least three deaths and nearly a dozen injuries is a shocking indictment of the Pakistani authorities’ utter disregard for human life,” Amnesty said.
The group criticised the mobile network shutdown in Quetta, saying it hindered “the free flow of information.”
It called for an immediate end to the crackdown and an investigation into the unlawful use of force.
UN Official and Global Rights Groups Demand Release
Front Line Defenders also demanded Dr Baloch’s release, calling the arrest retaliation for her human rights work.
The group confirmed that Dr Baloch, her sister, and two other activists are being held at Hudda District Prison in Quetta.
