Brussels: The international human rights organization ProtectDefenders EU, supported by the European Union, has expressed serious concern over the arrests, harassment, and mistreatment of women human rights defenders, lawyers, and social activists in Balochistan.
The organization also voiced strong concern over the deteriorating health of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a political and human rights activist, who has been in the custody of the Balochistan police since March 22, 2025.
According to the organization, Dr. Mahrang Baloch is a renowned Baloch human rights defender who has consistently raised her voice against state oppression, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan. She was arrested in Quetta during a peaceful sit-in on March 22.
The protest was held in response to police brutality against demonstrators in Quetta, which resulted in three deaths, seven injuries, and the arrest of several Baloch political activists. The organization stated that Dr. Mahrang’s arrest is a punishment for speaking out against these atrocities.
The statement further noted that Sabiha Baloch was also unjustly targeted for arrest on April 5, 2025, and that her family members are now being harassed, which the organization condemned as retaliation for her human rights activism.
On the same day, another Baloch woman activist, Gulzadi Baloch, was reportedly arrested with violence. She is currently being held under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO) at Huda Jail, which limits her right to bail. Her health is deteriorating, and she is being denied medical care, which poses a serious threat to her life.
The organization also expressed concern over judicial harassment of prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha. Both have been legally representing victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and state violence. On March 20, court summons were issued against them, which ProtectDefenders describes as retaliatory actions against their human rights work.
ProtectDefenders EU is an international coalition supported by the European Union that works to protect human rights defenders at risk around the world.
The organization has called on Pakistan to immediately release all detained women and human rights activists, end all retaliatory actions against them, and ensure the protection of fundamental human rights.
