Over 100 academics and civil society leaders have written an open letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the immediate release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, and others detained during recent protests against enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
The letter condemns the arrests as attempts to silence advocates for human rights and justice in Balochistan. It highlights concerns over the treatment of women activists and the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters. The signatories, including journalist Hamid Mir, former senator Afrasiab Khattak, and Human Rights Watch Senior Counsel Saroop Ijaz, demand:
• Immediate release of detained BYC leaders.
• An end to enforced disappearances.
• Initiation of meaningful political dialogue with the Baloch people.
• Independent investigation into alleged police brutality against activists.
The letter also criticizes the re-arrest of BYC leaders under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance, viewing it as a violation of due process. It warns that ongoing crackdowns and human rights abuses in Balochistan are fostering a climate of fear and repression, emphasizing the need for political dialogue to address the crisis.
