Pakistan: Calling for the immediate release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and an end to the crackdown on Baloch human rights defenders and protesters
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned for the safety of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch woman human rights defender who was arrested by Pakistani police in the early hours of 22 March 2025 while participating in a peaceful sit-in protest in Quetta, Balochistan. For nearly 12 hours following her arrest there was no information about her fate or whereabouts. The most recent update as at 5 pm Pakistan time is that Mahrang Baloch, her younger sister Mehran-e-Sareng, and two others are held at the Hudda District Prison in Quetta, Balochistan.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch woman human rights defender, was named by BBC 100 Women among 100 most influential and inspiring women in 2024 and recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Next Emerging Leaders. Dr Mahrang Baloch tirelessly campaigns for the rights of the Baloch people and against systemic human rights violations committed by Pakistani authorities, particularly the military, police, and intelligence agencies in Balochistan. As the organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a civil rights movement advocating for the Baloch minority rights, she campaigns against extrajudicial killings, mass arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other BYC members have faced severe reprisals, including physical violence, false criminal charges, arrests, administrative restrictions, travel bans, and smear campaigns aimed at discrediting their work. Both, in December 2023 the Baloch Long March and the Baloch National Gathering , in July 2024, were met with brutal repression, including live fire and violent crackdowns on protesters, particularly targeting human rights defenders leading these demonstrations.
Attacks against Baloch human rights defenders have increased following an attack by militants on a passenger train on 11 March 2025. Pakistan authorities have used the attack to further repress peaceful human rights defenders including BYC central committee member Bebarg Zehri who was abducted from his home along with his brother in the early hours of 20 March 2025. The human rights defender is currently held by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). Another prominent WHRD and family member of the disappeared, Saeeda Baloch was arrested on 19 March 2025 and released two days later. On 21 March 2025, police violently attacked a peaceful protest calling for the immediate release of Bebarg Zehri and other human rights defenders. Police used live bullets, tear gas and baton charged against the protesters. Three persons were killed and seven others critically injured in the attack. Reportedly over 100 persons were arrested from the protest and are currently held in state custody.
On the 22 March, Dr. Mahrang Baloch and affected families organized a sit in on Sariab Road, Quetta, with the bodies of those killed in the police attack. At around 5 am, a large contingent of police arrived at the scene, arrested the woman human rights defender, her sister and several others and took the bodies into custody. For nearly 12 hours since their arrest, police refused to share any details of their whereabouts raising serious concerns for the safety of those arrested. The situation is compounded by an internet shut down in the area preventing communications and access to information. In the most recent update, Front Line Defenders has been informed that the woman human rights defender, her sister and two others are being held at the Hudda District Prison in Quetta, Balochistan.
Front Line Defenders express its concerns regarding the sustained persecution and false labelling of Baloch human rights defenders as militants sympathisers and calls for the immediate release of Bebarg Zehri, his brother and other peaceful protesters from state custody. We call on Pakistan authorities to conduct an effective and impartial inquiry into the use of force by Pakistan police that resulted in the killing of three persons and injured seven others and hold those responsible accountable.
Front Line Defenders calls on Pakistan authorities to ensure the physical and mental safety of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and permit her access to legal counsel. The organisation calls for her immediate release as we believe her arrest is a reprisal against her human rights work and for calling out the violations committed by state authorities.
