UN urges Pakistan to release Baloch human rights activists

UN human rights experts have called on Pakistan to free Baloch human rights defenders who are currently detained. They also urged the government to end the crackdown on peaceful protests. These concerns come after reports of increased arrests and disappearances of Baloch activists. Tensions rose following a terrorist attack on March 11, 2025. In its aftermath, Pakistan's police intensified actions against the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a group fighting for the minority Baloch community's rights. Experts highlighted the violent police response to protests demanding the release of detained activists. On March 21, police shot at protestors in Quetta, resulting in deaths and injuries. Mahrang Baloch, a leader in the movement, was among those detained during a follow-up protest on March 22. Her whereabouts remained unknown for hours. Another activist, Sammi Deen Baloch, was arrested on March 24 during a protest in Karachi. The experts expressed deep concern for the welfare of the detained activists and demanded their immediate release. They emphasized that using counter-terrorism measures against human rights defenders only exacerbates the situation. They are in ongoing communication with Pakistani authorities regarding these issues.