Amnesty International, HRCP condemn police crackdown on Baloch protesters

ISLAMABAD: The Amnesty International (Pakistan) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have strongly condemned the use of force, baton charge and arrest of Baloch protesters in different cities including in Islamabad.

“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protesters in Islamabad on December 21. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest,” it said in a statement.

“The Amnesty International reiterates its demands that the government of Pakistan immediately release all protestors, and drop any charges brought against them for solely exercising their right to freedom of expression and right to protest,” it said.

The AI demanded to conduct an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards. It also demanded to compensate families of victims of extrajudicial killings and those forcibly disappeared.

Meanwhile, the HRCP strongly condemned the violent police crackdown on Baloch protestors in Islamabad, with women, children and the elderly subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannons and use of batons.

“Numerous women protestors have reportedly been arrested and separated from their male relatives and allies. This treatment of Baloch citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly is inexcusable. It also reflects how little the state thinks of the protesters’ demand that their right to life and liberty be upheld. All those detained must be released unconditionally. Once again, we urgently call on the government to organize a delegation to meet the protesters and give their legitimate demands a fair hearing,” the HRCP said in a statement.

Meanwhile, X users are also showoing their to the Baloch protesters by using this Hashtag “#MarchAgainstBalochGenocide” and this Hashtag #EndEnforcedDisappearances.

Who is Mahrang Baloch

Mahrang Baloch is a Baloch human rights activist from Balochistan. She is known for her struggle against the enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and exploitation in Balochistan. She is also a medical graduated of Bolan Medical College.

Her father, Ghaffar Baloch, was abducted by the security forces in 2009 and found dead with signs of torture in 2011¹. Her brother was also abducted in 2017 and detained for over three months. She has been protesting for the release of her brother and other missing persons ever since.