The UN questions Pakistan over the alleged harassment of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a human rights activist, facing travel bans and false criminal charges.
UN Questions Harassment:
The harassment and intimidation of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a human rights activist who is in charge of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has drawn the attention of the United Nations (UN) Working Group. She has received international acclaim for her vigorous efforts to stop enforced disappearances in Balochistan, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and a TIME100 Next designation.
However, according to reports, Pakistani authorities have barred her from travelling and falsely accused her. While travelling to a TIME award ceremony in New York in October 2024, she was stopped at Karachi Airport and subsequently arrested, mistreated, and had her documents confiscated. The UN has questioned these acts, demanded answers from the Pakistani government, and called for her rights to be restored.
Case’s Background:
In Balochistan, Dr. Mahrang Baloch has led the charge in the struggle for justice for those who have been forcibly disappeared. By actively taking part in demonstrations and protracted marches, she has brought regional human rights abuses to the notice of both domestic and foreign audiences. She was featured on the 2024 TIME100 Next list in appreciation of her efforts. However, Pakistani authorities did not provide any legal explanation for why she was not allowed to fly to New York City to attend the award ceremony.
Shortly after being stopped at Karachi International Airport, Dr. Baloch’s vehicle was intercepted by police officers. Reports indicate that she and her fellow activists were subjected to physical violence and verbal abuse. The police confiscated her passport and mobile phone and left them stranded late at night on a deserted road.
Criminal Charges Filed:
Following these incidents, an FIR was registered against Dr Baloch by the Malir district’s Quaidabad police, accusing her of inciting violence. The charges, filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 and various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, include sedition, rioting, promoting enmity, defamation, and public mischief. These charges allege that Dr Baloch has been collaborating with militant groups, claims which her supporters dismiss as politically motivated.
The UN Working Group has raised concerns about the credibility of these accusations, suggesting they are fabricated to silence Dr Baloch’s activism. They pointed to similar tactics used against other human rights defenders in Balochistan, particularly women.
International Response and UN Inquiry:
The UN Special Procedures communication was sent by various human rights bodies, including:
- The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
- Freedom of Opinion and Expression Special Rapporteur
- The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
- The Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
- The Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls
These bodies have demanded a response from the Pakistani government regarding:
- The justification for restricting Dr. Baloch’s travel and seizing her documents.
- The physical and psychological impact of these actions on her.
- Immediate steps to return her passport and restore her right to international travel.
- The legal basis for the criminal charges against her.
- Measures taken to ensure she can continue her human rights work without fear of reprisal.
- Investigations into allegations of arbitrary arrest, mistreatment, and the broader pattern of targeting human rights defenders in Balochistan.
- Plans to amend Pakistan’s counter-terrorism laws to align with international human rights standards.
The UN has set a deadline for Pakistan to respond, aligning with the upcoming Committee Against Torture session in April-May 2025.
Nobel Peace Prize Nomination:
Amidst this turmoil, Dr. Mahrang Baloch has received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for 2025.She has expressed that this recognition is not for her alone but for the countless victims of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. In her public statements, she has urged global civil society and international organizations to acknowledge the struggle of Baloch families seeking justice.
The nomination was first disclosed by Norwegian journalist Kiyya Baloch, who confirmed her inclusion among 338 candidates, consisting of 244 individuals and 94 organizations. Despite the secrecy surrounding Nobel nominations, privileged nominators often reveal their preferred candidates to raise awareness about their causes.
Dr Baloch’s activism is rooted in personal tragedy her father was allegedly abducted and killed by state authorities in 2011. Since then, she has dedicated her life to seeking justice for the disappeared, leading major protests and sit-ins across Pakistan. Her role in the 2023 Baloch Long March and the 2024 Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar further established her as a key figure in the human rights movement.
Government’s Stance and Broader Implications:
The Pakistani government and military deny involvement in enforced disappearances, stating that their counter-terrorism operations target insurgents, not civilians. However, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have consistently reported on disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the persecution of activists in Balochistan.
Pakistan’s counter-terrorism laws have been widely criticized for their misuse against dissenters, including students, journalists, and human rights defenders. The inclusion of terrorism-related charges in cases like Dr. Baloch’s raises concerns about the weaponization of legal frameworks to suppress legitimate activism.
Conclusion:
The case of Dr. Mahrang Baloch has turned into a litmus test for Pakistan’s record on human rights. The UN’s action indicates that the nation’s treatment of activists is coming under more international scrutiny. Her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize raises awareness of the situation of those who have forcibly vanished from Balochistan on a worldwide scale.
As the world looks on, the Pakistani government is under growing pressure to guarantee that human rights defenders can work without fear of retaliation and to answer openly to the UN’s investigations. In addition to affecting Dr. Baloch’s future, the case’s verdict will establish a standard for Pakistan’s protection of human rights advocates.
