Join Aomar Karim’s Official Channel
Eight leading human rights and civil society organisations have criticised Pakistan for failing to prevent enforced disappearances and provide justice for victims and their families, on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The joint statement highlights the persistent use of enforced disappearance as a tool to target activists, journalists, and political dissidents. Despite thousands of documented cases over the past two decades, the Pakistani authorities have consistently failed to provide accountability, truth, or reparations, creating a culture of impunity.
The organisations, including Amnesty International, Defence of Human Rights (DHR), Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), and others, have called on the Pakistani government to:
- Immediately end enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.
- Disclose the fate and whereabouts of all forcibly disappeared individuals.
- Ensure that all those responsible face fair trials in ordinary civilian courts.
- Provide meaningful truth, justice, and reparations to victims and their families.
Families of the disappeared are often subjected to harassment, intimidation, and surveillance when campaigning for their loved ones. Peaceful protests are frequently met with repression, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful use of force.
The statement also called for Pakistan to ratify international conventions, reform domestic laws, and strengthen independent accountability mechanisms. Experts warn that without urgent action, the cycle of enforced disappearances will continue to undermine the rule of law and fundamental human rights.
Signatories include: Amnesty International, Asian Federation Against Involuntary and Enforced Disappearances (AFAD), Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Defence of Human Rights (DHR), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Sindhian National Congress, and Voice for Missing Persons of Sindh (VMPS).
