Quetta: In a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Nadia Baloch, the sister of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, condemned the inhuman treatment her sister is facing in jail. Nadia stated that Dr. Mahrang, who is recognized globally by institutions such as BBC, Times Magazine, and the Nobel Peace Committee for her advocacy of political and human rights, is being held illegally and unconstitutionally. She emphasized that the state’s actions are aimed at silencing voices protesting the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.
Nadia continued, “Before Dr. Mahrang, our father, Shaheed Abdul Ghafar, was also subjected to false cases and imprisoned for many years. Whenever he was released from illegal charges, the state forcibly disappeared him again. We have experienced these inhuman and illegal activities for many years, and Dr. Mahrang herself suffered these torments during her childhood. The state tortured our family for years and finally threw our father’s body away, leaving us helpless. When we lost our support, Mahrang became the pillar for our family and took on responsibilities. Since she was familiar with the pain and suffering caused by the state, she could not remain silent about the serious human rights violations in Balochistan, such as inhuman torture and enforced disappearances. Therefore, she raised her voice through political struggle for the mothers and sisters who were victims of the state’s oppression. Alongside us, she became a support for those mothers whose children had been disappeared by the state for years. The state has once again created hardship for us. The illegal and inhuman detention of Mahrang and her imprisonment are the worst examples of human rights violations in Balochistan, as well as a blatant disregard for the Constitution and laws.”
She added, “It is extremely alarming that Dr. Mahrang, a human rights activist, a doctor by profession, and someone recognized as a savior on a national level, has been dragged onto the streets and imprisoned in such a manner. Despite clear orders from the courts, Dr. Mahrang is being denied basic human rights at the orders of the agencies’ officials. She is being denied visits from her family. We have been going to the jail for the past three days, and after threatening to protest, I was allowed to meet her for just a few seconds, while the rest of the family members were also deprived of this right. Meanwhile, she is being subjected to the worst inhuman treatment, which is extremely worrying. We are being denied clean food, which is affecting Dr. Mahrang’s health in jail. At the orders of the agencies, cameras have been installed around her cell, even in front of the washroom, which is a violation of privacy. All these inhumane, cruel and extreme acts of torture aim to deprive Mahrang Baloch of her basic human rights and her struggle for human rights. We have been victims of the state’s oppression many times before. Our father, Shaheed Abdul Ghaffar Langove, was tortured by the state to prevent him from continuing his political struggle. After years of torture, his mutilated body was returned to us. Now the state is subjecting us to the same brutal oppression and torment by keeping Dr. Mahrang in jail. But we will not remain silent about these atrocities in any way and want to make it clear to the state that we will strongly protest and struggle against the injustices being done to Mahrang Baloch. It is evident that Mahrang is not a criminal; she has been imprisoned for political purposes and pressure. Therefore, the state must show some decency and grant her the rights of a political prisoner, and not force us to take drastic measures.”
Nadia Baloch Said, “Through you, we want to send a message to human rights activists, politicians, and all concerned individuals around the world to raise their voices against the illegal and inhuman treatment Dr. Mahrang Baloch is facing in jail. The command of the jail is now in the hands of the security agency officials, not the police. They are trying to subject Mahrang Baloch to severe torture in order to mentally and intellectually weaken her, but this will not be possible. We are concerned that the state institutions’ officials may cause Mahrang Baloch serious harm. We want to make it clear to the state that we are political and peaceful people who believe in basic human rights. Neither force nor violence could break us two decades ago, and it will not break us now. Therefore, the state must release Mahrang Baloch while respecting the Constitution and law and ensuring her basic human rights are protected. This is the same message Mahrang gave to the Baloch people “Continue your political and peaceful struggle and raise your voice against the inhumane treatment in Balochistan. The Baloch people have no other option but struggle in this country. Therefore, do not show weakness and continue your struggle”.
