The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), during a press conference in Quetta today, stated:
“We are addressing you today regarding the case of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and her fellow detainees. The purpose of this press conference is to shed light on the background of this case, the impact of pressure on the judicial system in Balochistan and the misuse of alternative legal provisions against Baloch political prisoners.”
The spokesperson said Dr. Mahrang Baloch was arrested on March 22 from the Sariab area of Quetta while she was peacefully participating in a sit-in along with the bodies of two youths who were martyred during a brutal crackdown by the forces. The police, using force to disperse the sit-in, not only arrested the bodies and their relatives but also detained Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch and two other women.
They said that without any reason they arrest her on the first day. However, the next day, the district administration informed the media in a briefing that Dr. Mahrang Baloch had been arrested under Section 3 of the MPO (Maintenance of Public Order).
“We would like to clarify that Section 3 of the MPO is a legal procedure enforced under the 2011 Act. According to this Act, the Deputy Commissioner informs the individual of the charges via notice. If the notice cannot be delivered, it must be published in a newspaper. The government then presents evidence of the charges and the individual is given the opportunity to defend themselves. If the charges are proven, the arrest can proceed and the case is represented through the Home Department.”
The press conference stated: “But in Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s case, the legal requirements under Sections 3 and 6 were not fulfilled. The MPO Act of 2011 was not fully followed. Therefore, we demanded that the notification issued by the DC be declared illegal and dismissed.”
“We approached the Balochistan High Court regarding this and our legal team presented all aspects of the case before the honorable court. We had hoped that the court would fulfill its legal and constitutional duty and issue a just verdict. But regrettably, the court relinquished its constitutional and legal authority before the government.”
“For the past three days, a decision in Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s case was expected. After the conclusion of arguments on Thursday, the verdict was to be announced on Friday, but due to state pressure, it was continuously delayed. No verdict was announced on Monday and today as well, instead of issuing a verdict, the honorable court referred the case to the Home Department for further proceedings.”
“This is an unusual and shocking move. Referring the matter to the administration instead of the court without fulfilling legal requirements goes against the principles of justice. Even if the court had ruled against us, we would have had the legal right to appeal to the Supreme Court. However, as a result of this decision, the path to the Supreme Court has now been temporarily closed. The case will now be decided by a committee formed by the Home Department, which will consist of bureaucrats. There is no set deadline for this committee’s decision—it may take a day or a year, with no restrictions. If the committee’s decision is also unjust, we will have to return to the High Court and then proceed to the Supreme Court. This is a deliberately constructed complex path designed solely to delay and deny justice.”
“It is important to note that the cases of other BYC activists are also included with Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s, and this decision will apply to all of them.”
In conclusion, the press conference stated: “Respected journalists, all these details point to deliberate delays and the promotion of unlawful actions by ignoring legal procedures in this case. We appeal to the judiciary, the legal community and human rights institutions to play their part in ensuring justice in this matter. The BYC will soon announce its future course of action against these illegal measures.”
