QUETTA: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has strongly condemned the ongoing harassment and intimidation of peaceful activists in Balochistan, describing these actions as clear violations of both Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations.
In a recent statement, the BYC highlighted a disturbing pattern of coercion by state forces and agencies aimed at undermining the work of the committee, a platform dedicated to advocating peacefully for the rights and dignity of the Baloch people. The committee revealed that members of the public and their families are being summoned to security offices, pressured to record videos and forced to issue false public statements that misrepresent the aims and activities of the BYC.
“This coercion extends to forcing individuals to publicly disassociate themselves from peaceful activism under duress, amounting to a profound assault on basic political liberties and human dignity,” the BYC stated.
The committee emphasized that these practices contradict Pakistan’s Constitution, specifically Article 19, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression and Article 16, which protects the right to peaceful assembly. Moreover, such actions violate international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Pakistan has committed to uphold.
The statement also referenced concerns raised by Mary Lawlor, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders, who recently highlighted the harassment of human rights defenders in Pakistan, including members and supporters of the BYC.
“Silencing peaceful activists does not promote peace. On the contrary, it deepens societal wounds, increases mistrust and distances people from the institutions tasked with protecting them,” the BYC said.
Calling for an immediate end to the harassment, coercion and intimidation of Baloch citizens, the BYC urged national and international human rights organizations to take urgent notice, advocate for accountability and engage with Pakistani authorities to safeguard fundamental rights in Balochistan.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful resistance and lawful advocacy for justice and dignity, warning that repression will only strengthen the resolve of the Baloch people to stand for their fundamental rights.
