Human Rights Groups Demand Release of Enforced Disappeared Baloch Students in Pakistan

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Two leading human rights organisations have called on Pakistani authorities to immediately release Baloch students allegedly subjected to enforced disappearance, warning that the cases reflect “a systemic campaign” against ethnic Baloch youth across Balochistan and other parts of the country.

In a statement issued by its South Asia office, Amnesty International highlighted the case of Mahjabeen Baloch, a University of Balochistan student who has been missing since 29 May. Her brother, Younas Baloch, was reportedly forcibly disappeared by security forces five days earlier.

“The clampdown by authorities on students has intensified after protests in Quetta, which resulted in the arrest of Baloch activists including Mahrang Baloch,” Amnesty said.

The International Human Rights Foundation also raised concern over what it called a “systemic campaign against ethnic Baloch youth.” It cited the same cases and warned that the disappearances point to the “military-led regime’s continued targeting of Baloch students.”

Both groups expressed concern over other disappearances involving Baloch students.

“Javid Musafir Baloch, a law student at Karachi University, has been missing since a raid by police and counter-terrorism department officials at his residence in Karachi on 23 April,” Amnesty said, citing eyewitness accounts.

It added that another student, Gohram Ishaq, was picked up outside Civil Hospital Quetta on 24 April. His whereabouts, too, remain unknown.

The International Human Rights Foundation alleged that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, was behind the raids and enforced disappearances.

Amnesty said the practice of enforced disappearances “runs contrary to Pakistan’s international human rights obligations” and urged authorities to conduct “prompt, thorough and effective investigations,” disclose the students’ whereabouts, and release them immediately.

The International Human Rights Foundation added, “Perpetrators must face accountability in fair trials. Such actions violate Pakistan’s commitments under international law.”