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Geneva, Switzerland – Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, has voiced serious concern regarding the recent arrests of prominent human rights defenders (HRDs), including Dr Mahrang Baloch, during a violent crackdown on Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protesters in Quetta, Balochistan.
Reports confirm that Pakistani security forces detained Dr Baloch and several other HRDs following a peaceful protest against human rights violations in the region. The crackdown, which saw excessive use of force, has raised grave concerns over the safety and well-being of those detained, with their whereabouts remaining unknown. The violent actions of the Pakistani authorities further highlight the ongoing repression of Baloch activists and the fundamental rights of the Baloch people.
Lawlor, a vocal advocate for the protection of HRDs, condemned the arbitrary arrests and called on the international community to demand the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained individuals. She emphasised the importance of holding Pakistan accountable for its continuous violations of human rights, particularly its attacks on peaceful demonstrators advocating for justice.
Lawlor further urged Pakistan to cease its oppressive tactics in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and to allow independent investigations into the incidents. She emphasised the need for global action to ensure the safety of HRDs in the region and to bring those responsible for these violations to justice.
The United Nations, along with other international human rights organisations, is expected to closely monitor the situation and continue advocating for the protection of human rights defenders in Balochistan.
For more information, follow @MaryLawlorhrds.
