Mahrang Baloch Accuses Pakistan of Violence Against Peaceful Protesters in Karachi
In Karachi, Pakistan, prominent Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch has accused the Pakistan government of using violence to suppress a peaceful protest organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The protest was against recent enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Mahrang Baloch took to social media platform X to express her concerns, stating that the Pakistan government arrested Lala Wahab Baloch, the Deputy Organizer of BYC, along with other protesters. She described these actions as a “crackdown on freedom of expression.”
She further accused the government of “systematically silencing” those who speak out against them, highlighting that many Baloch individuals, especially young students, have been forcibly disappeared. Mahrang Baloch urged human rights organizations not to ignore this “oppressive assault on civil liberties.”
On October 18, three men were reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces in the Panjgur and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan. The men, identified as Ali Haider, Siraj Rasheed, and Shahab, were allegedly taken by authorities at different times over the past week. Their families have been unable to trace them.
Enforced disappearances have been a longstanding issue in Balochistan, with international human rights organizations documenting numerous cases of individuals taken by state authorities without legal justification.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) is a political and social organization based in Balochistan, advocating for the rights of the Baloch people and promoting unity among various Baloch nationalist groups. The committee focuses on political autonomy, cultural preservation, and social justice for the Baloch community.
Doubts Revealed
Mahrang Baloch -: Mahrang Baloch is a well-known activist who speaks out for the rights of the Baloch people. The Baloch are an ethnic group mainly living in the Balochistan region, which is in Pakistan.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) -: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, or BYC, is a group that works to bring together Baloch people and raise awareness about their issues. They organize events and protests to highlight problems like enforced disappearances.
Enforced disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are taken away secretly by authorities or groups, and their whereabouts are not revealed. This is a serious human rights issue because families do not know what happened to their loved ones.
Karachi -: Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and an important economic hub. It is known for its diverse population and is located in the southern part of the country.
Freedom of expression -: Freedom of expression means being able to speak, write, or share your thoughts and ideas without fear of being punished. It is an important human right that allows people to express themselves freely.
Human rights organizations -: Human rights organizations are groups that work to protect and promote the basic rights and freedoms of all people. They often help raise awareness about issues like violence, discrimination, and injustice.
