Rights defenders flag abuses against Baloch women at UNHRC
Human rights defenders raised alarms at the UNHRC Geneva session regarding enforced disappearances and torture against Baloch women and activists.
Serious concerns regarding the treatment of Baloch women, girls, and human rights defenders in Balochistan were brought to the forefront during the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. Speakers at the international forum called for urgent independent investigations and enhanced protection for those advocating for accountability and peaceful rights.
Allegations of systematic violations
Speaking under Agenda Item 8, Mahra Abdul Jalil of the Al Baraem Association for Charitable Work detailed a harrowing landscape of human rights violations. She alleged that Baloch women and girls are being disproportionately affected by several grave issues, including:
- Enforced disappearances
- Arbitrary detention
- Torture and extrajudicial killings
- Restrictions on peaceful political expression
Jalil emphasized that Baloch women have emerged as prominent figures in peaceful movements seeking justice. However, the families of those who have been allegedly killed or disappeared continue to endure profound emotional, social, and economic hardships.
To address these crises, Jalil urged the Council to strengthen protections for the public participation of Baloch women and girls. She specifically called for independent monitoring and transparent investigations into the alleged abuses.
Specific cases of activists under pressure
The gravity of the situation was further highlighted by Diana Stephanie Dehimat of the Jssor Youth Organization, who raised alarms regarding the targeted treatment of activists and minors. Dehimat brought attention to specific individuals whose cases illustrate the reported crackdown:
- Mahjabeen Baloch: A polio survivor whose current whereabouts remain unknown following her reported disappearance.
- Dr. Sabiha Baloch: An activist who has reportedly faced immense pressure due to her human rights work. Dehimat noted that Dr. Baloch's name was allegedly placed on Pakistan's Fourth Schedule, leading to restrictions on her bank account and identity documents, alongside various criminal cases.
Demands for international intervention
The interventions at the UNHRC underscored a pattern of longstanding allegations involving extrajudicial killings and the suppression of political expression in the region. Dehimat called upon the United Nations to actively examine these allegations, seek information regarding the location of missing persons, and support impartial investigations.
Furthermore, the speakers urged Pakistan to uphold its international human rights obligations. They stressed the necessity for the state to protect human rights defenders, ensure due process of law, and provide effective remedies to the families affected by these reported violations.