Geneva: The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has continued its month-long global campaign during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighting human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and collective punishment of activists’ families.
According to the organization, BNM’s formal activities at the Council began this week and will continue until March 28, 2026, as part of its international campaign aimed at drawing attention to the situation in Balochistan.
During the session, activist Saleem Ellahi Baloch addressed the Council, sharing personal testimony about the enforced disappearance of his elder brother Zahid Baloch, the former chairman of the Baloch Students Organization (Azad). According to him, Zahid Baloch was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces on March 18, 2014, and has not been presented before any civil court since then.
Speaking at the Council, Saleem Ellahi Baloch said he appeared not only as an activist but also as a brother seeking justice. He stated that his family has received no information about Zahid Baloch’s whereabouts or well-being in the twelve years since his disappearance.
He also referred to the killing of another brother, Shah Jahan Baloch, who was assassinated in 2025 by state-backed armed groups. According to him, the killing was intended as retaliation for his political activism and to send a message to those who speak out about the situation in Balochistan.
Saleem Ellahi Baloch further said that collective punishment is being used to suppress political voices. He cited remarks attributed to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, stating that authorities may confiscate assets and impose travel restrictions on the family members of political activists under counter-terrorism laws.
According to his statement, families of forcibly disappeared persons are being displaced, their homes destroyed and their property seized or controlled by security forces. He argued that such measures are intended to silence families who continue to demand information about their missing relatives.
The activist also raised concerns about the detention of human rights campaigners, including Mahrang Baloch, and other members associated with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), who remain imprisoned on fabricated charges.
Concluding his address, Saleem Ellahi Baloch called on the UN Human Rights Council to take action and pressure Pakistan to end alleged human rights violations in Balochistan and ensure accountability.
